Haemoglobin structure & function Prof. G.W. Kitonyi Department of Human Pathology
Learning objectives at the end of the lecture the student should be able to Describe the structure of normal haemoglobin Define the the function of haemoglobin
Blood Picture
Haemoglobin synthesis Function of heamoglobin is to transport oxygen to the tissues Normal haemoglobin mainly HBA, HBF, HBA2 HBA 2 alpha chains + 2 Beta chains Abnormal haemoglobins eg SS exist Haemoglobin disorders give rise to haemoglobinopathies eg sickle cell disease
Haemoglobin molecule RBC has 640 million Hb molecules MW of Hb 640 million Daltons Consists of 4 polypeptide chains 2 alpha + 2Beta Chains Haem = protoporphyrin + Fe
Structure of haemoglobin molecule
Abnormal haemoglobins Structural (eg Sickle cell disease) Imbalanced synthesis (thalassaemia syndromes) Haemoglobinopathies