Hbmolecuul

Hbmolecuul is the Dutch term for hemoglobin molecule. Hemoglobin is a protein found in the red blood cells of vertebrates, including humans. Its primary function is to transport oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues and to carry carbon dioxide, a waste product, back from the tissues to the lungs to be exhaled.

The hemoglobin molecule is composed of four subunits. Each subunit contains a heme group, which is a porphyrin ring with an iron atom at its center. It is the iron atom that directly binds to oxygen. The binding of oxygen to hemoglobin is reversible, allowing for efficient uptake in the lungs where oxygen concentration is high and release in tissues where oxygen concentration is lower.

Hemoglobin's ability to carry oxygen is crucial for cellular respiration, the process by which cells generate energy. Variations in hemoglobin structure or function can lead to various medical conditions, such as anemia or sickle cell disease. Measuring hemoglobin levels is a common diagnostic test in healthcare.