Biochemistry Protein Function

The gene is

he functional unit of inheritance.

GENE Carries information for

~ 20,000 protein encoding genes in human genome
(~ 3,000,000,000 bp)
- structural RNA molecules (e.g., rRNA, tRNA)

Physically a gene is

Just a sequence of DNA bases...

Proteins include

enzymes, hormones
membrane
channels and transporters
signalling moleculesgene regulation,

Other proteins are involved in movement (e.g., actin

Haemoglobin (Hb)

Oxygen (O2) is a hydrophobic
molecule
• Haemoglobin (Hb) – found in
RBC – transports O2 from the
lungs to the tissues
• Hb has 2 -chains & 2 -chains

Hb contain a haem group

• Haemoglobin has haem groups.

• Each haem contains a Fe²⁺ ion.

• The Fe²⁺ ion is the site where oxygen binds.

• Binding is reversible, allowing oxygen pickup and release.

Protein bioinformatics

BIOlogy
INFORMation science
mathemATICS

Homologous sequences -

two (or more) proteins derived by
divergent evolution from a common ancestor