Which combination of subunits is correct for adult hemoglobin?

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Prepare for the PLTW Biomedical Science Test. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question comes with hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

Which combination of subunits is correct for adult hemoglobin?

Explanation:
Adult hemoglobin is a tetramer made of two alpha and two beta globin chains (α2β2). This arrangement forms four heme-containing sites that carry oxygen and allows cooperative binding, which is ideal for picking up oxygen in the lungs and releasing it in tissues. Fetal hemoglobin uses gamma chains (α2γ2), and after birth the gamma chains are largely replaced by beta chains to form the adult HbA. So the correct subunit combination for adult hemoglobin is two alpha and two beta. The other options describe fetal hemoglobin (two alpha and two gamma) or nonstandard forms (like beta4), which are not the primary adult form.

Adult hemoglobin is a tetramer made of two alpha and two beta globin chains (α2β2). This arrangement forms four heme-containing sites that carry oxygen and allows cooperative binding, which is ideal for picking up oxygen in the lungs and releasing it in tissues. Fetal hemoglobin uses gamma chains (α2γ2), and after birth the gamma chains are largely replaced by beta chains to form the adult HbA. So the correct subunit combination for adult hemoglobin is two alpha and two beta. The other options describe fetal hemoglobin (two alpha and two gamma) or nonstandard forms (like beta4), which are not the primary adult form.

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