The difference between fetal and adult hemoglobin withregard

The difference between fetal and adult hemoglobin withregard to oxygen binding occurs because fetal

hemoglobin has an amino acid substitution in one of itschains that results in a histidine being replaced bya

serine.

a.) True

b.)False

Solution

Fetal haemoglobin is also called as hemoglobin F. It is the main source of oxygen transport that is developed in the seventh month of fetus. Fetal hemoglobin varies from adult haemoglobin by binding to oxygen with higher affinity, for better access to oxygen form the mother when compared to the adult form.

The normal hemoglobin includes different types, they are: hemoglobin A, hemoglobin A2, hemoglobin S, and hemoglobin F. All these hemoglobins consist of tetramers of four protein subunits and four heme prosthetic groups. Difference in the fetal and adult hemoglobin with regard to oxygen binding vary because hemoglobin of adult consists of two alpha and two beta subunits, the haemoglobin of the fetus consists of two alpha and two gamma subunits. Thus, the difference in the structures of chain make the hemoglobins vary in the binding of the oxygen.

Hence, the given statement is false.