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Why is it important that the heme prosthetic group be buried in a hydrophobic pocket in...

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Why is it important that the heme prosthetic group be buried in a hydrophobic pocket in {eq}O_2 {/eq}-binding proteins?

a) The heme group is entirely hydrophobic and therefore cannot be solvent-exposed.

b) {eq}O_2 {/eq} is uncharged and hydrophobic and therefore needs this type of environment in order to bind.

c) The heme iron is readily oxidized to {eq}Fe^{3+} {/eq}, which cannot bind {eq}O_2 {/eq}.

d) The heme group would bind {eq}H_2O {/eq} instead of {eq}O_2 {/eq} if it were solvent-exposed.

Heme Prosthetic Group:


For some proteins to perform their biological function, a specific non-polypeptide must be attached to them which is known as the prosthetic group. When this prosthetic group is composed of a protoporphyrin ring and a central iron that can be in the form of ferrous or ferric, it is referred to as the heme prosthetic group.


Answer and Explanation: 1

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Answer: c) The heme iron is readily oxidized to {eq}Fe^{3+}{/eq}, which cannot bind {eq}O_2{/eq}.


To efficiently deliver oxygen to the different...

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Prosthetic Group: Definition & Overview

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Chapter 4 / Lesson 17
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Explore prosthetic groups. Learn the definition of a prosthetic group and understand its different functions. Discover various examples of prosthetic groups.

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