Structure of Erythrocytes
Structure of Erythrocytes
Structure of Erythrocytes
Presenter
Beside RBC, hemoglobin is also present in alveolar cells, macrophages, some neurons
of the midbrain, mesangial cells of kidneys, hepatocytes, vaginal epithelial and
cervical cells, etc.
Hemoglobin is synthesized together with the red blood cells (RBCs) during
erythropoiesis in the bone marrow. The iron part (heme part) is synthesized in the
cytoplasm and mitochondria of developing RBC and the protein part (globin protein)
is synthesized by the ribosome of the growing RBC
The heme group contains an iron (ferrous ion, Fe+2) held in the
center of a porphyrin ring binding with the nitrogen atoms of
the ring. The Fe+2 ion is bound to the pocket of the globin
subunit with a histidine residue. Each Fe +2 ion can bind with one
oxygen (O2) molecule or one carbon dioxide (CO 2) molecule