Why is hemoglobin called the respiratory pigment in humans ?
Hemoglobin is called the respiratory pigment in humans because it plays a crucial role in the transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the body.
It is a protein found in red blood cells and is responsible for binding and carrying oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues and organs, while also aiding in the transport of carbon dioxide from the tissues back to the lungs for exhalation.
The structure of hemoglobin allows it to bind with oxygen molecules in the lungs, where the oxygen concentration is high, forming a complex called oxyhemoglobin.
This process is facilitated by the iron atoms present in the hemoglobin molecule. As blood circulates through the body, oxyhemoglobin releases oxygen to the tissues with lower oxygen levels, such as organs and muscles, enabling them to perform their functions.
Simultaneously, as tissues carry out metabolic processes, they produce carbon dioxide as a waste product.
Hemoglobin has the ability to bind with carbon dioxide, forming a compound known as carbaminohemoglobin.
This compound helps transport carbon dioxide back to the lungs, where it can be eliminated from the body through exhalation.
The ability of hemoglobin to reversibly bind with oxygen and carbon dioxide allows it to act as a respiratory pigment, facilitating the exchange of these gases between the lungs and body tissues.
Its presence in red blood cells and its specialized structure make it uniquely suited for this crucial role in the respiratory system of humans.