1. Haemoglobin structure & function
Prof. G.W. Kitonyi Department of Human Pathology

2. 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

3. Blood Picture

4. 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

5. 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

6. Structure of haemoglobin molecule

8. Abnormal haemoglobins
Structural (eg Sickle cell disease)
Imbalanced synthesis (thalassaemia syndromes)
Haemoglobinopathies