The University of Arizona: Chemistry

Department of Chemistry
The University of Arizona

Authored By: Abby L. Parrill and Jacquelyn Gervay
Funded by NSF

Heme is the component of hemoglobin which is responsible for carrying oxygen to our cells and exchanging it for carbon dioxide. Heme contains an iron atom which changes geometry depending on whether it is attached only to heme, or to heme and oxygen. An in-depth knowledge of structure and bonding will help to explain these types of structural changes.

Heme without Oxygen Bound (333K)
Heme with Oxygen Bound (333K)
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Copyright 1995, The University of Arizona

Last modified May 16, 1996

Abby Parrill and Dr. Jacquelyn Gervay
The Department of Chemistry
The University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ 85721

Please contact Abby Parrill at abby@mercury.aichem.arizona.edu with problems and comments.