Tag: Metalloprotein

In a healthy human, there are typically 12 to 20 grams of hemoglobin within every 100 mL of blood, and this iron-containing molecule is a quintessential example of a metal protein. This critical protein facilitates the transport of oxygen from the lungs to tissues throughout the body, showcasing the indispensable role of metals in biological processes.

Hemoglobin, the protein that gives red blood cells their color, comprises over 95% of a red blood cell's dry weight. The answer to the question, "Is hemoglobin made up of protein?", is a definitive yes, as it is a complex, iron-containing protein molecule.

An estimated 24.8% of the global population suffers from iron deficiency, a condition that severely impairs the function of many critical iron-dependent enzymes. Iron's unique ability to accept and donate electrons makes it a fundamental cofactor for hundreds of essential biological reactions.

Approximately 70% of the iron in the human body is bound to a specific protein within red blood cells called hemoglobin. This confirms that iron can be found in protein, but the relationship is far more complex than a simple combination, forming vital compounds known as metalloproteins that are fundamental to biological function.