HS-LS1-1: Structure & Function
Folding Hemoglobin...
Fetching 1A3N
This is Hemoglobin, the protein in your red blood cells responsible for carrying Oxygen. Its complex 3D shape creates four specific "pockets" where oxygen binds perfectly.
Observable Feature: Structure Determines Function
Use the sliders below to apply heat or extreme acid/base. Watch what happens to the secondary structure (the smooth ribbons and helices).
If the temperature rises to 50°C (122°F), what happens to the protein's ability to carry oxygen?
Increased heat breaks the weak hydrogen bonds holding the folded shape together.
Extreme pH changes the electrical charge of amino acids, causing them to repel each other.