Hemoglobin Structure, Types, and Oxygen Dissociation Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering the structural components of hemoglobin, developmental hemoglobin types, metabolic pathways, oxygen dissociation curve shifts, and abnormal hemoglobins based on lecture transcript notes.

Heme

The iron-containing structure composed of iron in the ferrous form ($\text{Fe}^{2+}$) bound to protoporphyrin nine.

Adult Hemoglobin (Hb A)

The predominant form of hemoglobin in adults, composed of heme combined with two alpha globin chains and two beta globin chains.

Fetal Hemoglobin (Hb F)

A form of hemoglobin composed of two alpha chains and two gamma chains ($\alpha_2\gamma_2$) that predominates before birth and transitions to adult hemoglobin after delivery.

Embryonic Hemoglobin

Early developmental forms of hemoglobin produced before birth, specifically Gower 1, Gower 2, and Portland.

Luber-Luberine Rapivor Pathway

The metabolic pathway in red blood cells that produces 2,3-DPG, which alters hemoglobin conformation to facilitate carbon dioxide pickup and oxygen release.

Oxygen Dissociation Curve

A sigmoid or S-shaped curve that describes the relationship between partial pressure of oxygen and the binding or release of oxygen by hemoglobin.

Right Shift

A shift in the oxygen dissociation curve where oxygen is loosely bound to hemoglobin (Righty Loosey) and released easily, caused by decreased pH, increased temperature, or increased 2,3-DPG.

Left Shift

A shift in the oxygen dissociation curve where oxygen is tightly bound to hemoglobin (Lefty Tighty) and not released easily, caused by increased pH, decreased temperature, decreased 2,3-DPG, or stored blood depletion.

Methemoglobin

An abnormal form of hemoglobin containing iron in the ferric state ($\text{Fe}^{3+}$) rather than the ferrous state, rendering it incapable of binding oxygen and causing a right shift.

Carboxyhemoglobin

An abnormal form of hemoglobin that has a high affinity for carbon monoxide (CO) rather than oxygen, causing a right shift in the oxygen dissociation curve.

Sulfhemoglobin

An abnormal form of hemoglobin created by exposure to sulfonamides or sulfa-containing drugs that has a reduced affinity for oxygen, leading to a right shift.

Mature Red Blood Cells

Circulating red blood cells that generate ATP, methemoglobin reductase, and 2,3-DPG, but do not produce hemoglobin, as hemoglobin synthesis occurs in the bone marrow.