Computer graphic of the haemoglobin molecule

Credit: J.C. REVY, ISM/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Caption: Haemoglobin. Computer graphic representation of the haemoglobin molecule, the oxygen-carrying pigment found in red blood cells. Here, the four globin chains are seen: two alpha globin chains (blue), and two beta globin chains (yellow). These "ribbons" of colour depict the polypeptide (protein) skeleton of the molecule, with a lattice of atoms attached to it. Each globin chain carries a haem component (not visible) capable of binding oxygen. Haem components contain the iron pigment haem, that gives red blood cells their red colour. The principal function of this cell/molecule association is the transport of oxygen through the human body.

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Keywords: anatomy, cells, computer graphic, graphic, haemoglobin, human body, molecular graphic, molecule, polypeptide, red blood cell

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