Question

Some of the hemoglobin in the blood due to intravascular hemolysis is returned to the spleen by haptoglobin molecules, thus depleting serum haptoglobin. What is the function of haptoglobin in this process?

1) Transporting oxygen to the tissues
2) Binding to free hemoglobin and preventing its oxidative damage
3) Producing red blood cells
4) Breaking down hemoglobin into its constituent parts

Answer 1

Haptoglobin binds to free hemoglobin and prevents its oxidative damage.

Step-by-step explanation:

The function of haptoglobin in the process of returning hemoglobin to the spleen is to bind to free hemoglobin and prevent its oxidative damage. Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen, and when it is released into the bloodstream due to intravascular hemolysis, haptoglobin molecules bind to it and prevent it from causing damage.