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A haemoglobin molecule is composed of four protein (globin) chains each attached to an iron-containing haem group - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 11 - 2007 - Paper 1
Question 11
A haemoglobin molecule is composed of four protein (globin) chains each attached to an iron-containing haem group. Two are identical alpha chains and two are identic... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:A haemoglobin molecule is composed of four protein (globin) chains each attached to an iron-containing haem group - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 11 - 2007 - Paper 1
Step 1
A haemoglobin molecule would be classified as having a
Answer
The correct answer is D. quaternary protein structure.
Explanation: Haemoglobin is composed of multiple polypeptides, specifically four chains: two alpha and two beta chains. This assembly of protein subunits constitutes the quaternary structure of a protein, differentiating it from primary (sequence of amino acids), secondary (alpha helices and beta sheets), and tertiary (3D folding of a single polypeptide) structures.
This complexity allows haemoglobin to perform its function in oxygen transport effectively.