What relates hemoglobin and chlorophyll?

Answer 1

Very Very Similar.

The biggest functional difference is the metallic atom in the centre of the molecule.

In Chlorophyll this is Magnesium (Mg) , In Haemoglobin it is Iron (Fe) .

Technically, they are not actually molecules but "Complex Ions" but this only matters if you are doing an A-Level Chemistry exam.

There is also a good bit of a structural difference but it seems minor compared to the simularities as you will see.

The following may seem a wee bit silly but it DOES give you a good idea of the

overall structure of these two molecules.

1 Imagine that you are wearing a long sleeved Jumper or Shirt.

Both sleeves should be rolled down to your wrists.

2 Imagine that you have two Snooker or Pool balls, one Red and one Green.

3 Hold out your Left hand , place the Red ball in the palm and curl your fingers

into a "C" shape. (Try to keep your Thumb straight-ish).

4 Make a "C" shape with your Right hand and cover the exposed part of the

ball. Your Right finger tips should be sort of resting on your Left thumb. Your

Right thumb should resting on the base of your Left Palm more or less

parallel to your Left Wrist.

Your Forearms should now be at an angle of 90 Degrees (or Pi/2 Radians

if you prefer) to each other.

I know a diagram would have been easier but....

You now have quite a detailed model of the Haemoglobin molecule.

The Iron atom is the Red ball (which you can't see now) in the centre of your

cupped hands.

Your Left Palm (inc. Thumb) , Left Fingers , Right Palm (inc. Thumb) and Right Fingers each represent a Porphyrin molecule , four of which surround the Iron atom.

Porphyrins are usually found in Clay ( the stuff you make pottery from). Insert

your own metaphore here....

Here comes the Fashion bit! CONCENTRATE!!!!!

5 OK. Put down the Red ball.

6 With your Right Hand roll the Left Sleeve of your imaginary Jumper or Shirt

until it reaches your Left Elbow.

7 Pick up the Green ball and perform steps 3 and 4 again.

You now have a model of the Chlorophyll molecule. The Iron (Fe) has been

replaced by a Magnesium (Mg) atom hence the colour change from Red to Green.

The 4 Porphyrin molecules are in the same positions surrounding the central atom and......

As if by magic , your Left Forearm is now a long chain of about 20 Carbon atoms and their associated Hydrogen atoms

( -CH2-CH2.etcetera.etcetera.-CH2-CH-COOH? something like that).

This is the structural difference i mentioned above. Sort of like the stick on "Kojacs Lollypop" , the Lolly is the more important part.

REMEMBER TO READJUST THE LENGTH OF YOUR SLEEVES BEFORE YOU LEAVE

THIS PAGE!!!!!!!

Answer 2

Heamoglobin is the red pigment (with iron as a component) in blood that is capable of transporting oxygen. Haemoglobin has high affinity to oxygen

Chlorophyll is the green pigment in plants and certain organisms that is capable of trapping the energy of the sun to enhance the process of photosynthesis.

Answer 3

They have similar chemical structures, except for the fact that chlorophyll has a Chlorine atom in the center of the molecule and hemoglobin has an iron atom. For purposes of respiration, plants and animals are more similar than we might ever imagine.

Answer 4

Hmmm I'm thinking green slime or green poo

Answer 5

hemoglobin is found within red blood cells and allows the red blood cells to bind to oxygen molecules. without hemoglobin very little oxygen would be transported through out the body.