Question

Which of the following inappropriately describes hemoglobin?

a. hemoglobin transports oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body
b. hemoglobin is the ratio of red blood cells to total blood volume
c. hemoglobin is a type of protein found in red blood cells of all mammals
d. hemoglobin is the portion of the red blood cells that contain iron, to which oxygen binds

Answer 1

Hemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells that binds oxygen and facilitates its transport throughout the body. It is made up of two alpha and two beta subunits surrounding an iron-containing heme group. The binding ability of oxygen to hemoglobin is influenced by various factors.

Step-by-step explanation:

Hemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells that is comprised of two alpha and two beta subunits that surround an iron-containing heme group. Oxygen readily binds this heme group. The ability of oxygen to bind increases as more oxygen molecules are bound to heme. Disease states and altered conditions in the body can affect the binding ability of oxygen, and increase or decrease its ability to dissociate from hemoglobin.