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As absence of iron decreases heme synthesis, red blood cells in iron deficiency anemia are hypochromic (lacking the red hemoglobin pigment) and microcytic (smaller than normal). Other anemias are rarer.
Heme (American English), or haem (Commonwealth English, both pronounced /hi:m/ HEEM), is a ring-shaped iron-containing molecular component of hemoglobin, which is necessary to bind oxygen in the bloodstream. It is composed of four pyrrole rings with 2 vinyl and 2 propionic acid side chains. [1] Heme is biosynthesized in both the bone marrow and ...
Iron in hemoglobin is the source of the red coloration of vertebrate blood. Hemoglobin diagram. Iron is an important biological element. [1] [2] [3] It is used in both the ubiquitous iron-sulfur proteins [1] and in vertebrates it is used in hemoglobin which is essential for blood and oxygen transport. [4]
Absorption of dietary iron in iron salt form (as in most supplements) varies somewhat according to the body's need for iron, and is usually between 10% and 20% of iron intake. Absorption of iron from animal products, and some plant products, is in the form of heme iron, and is more efficient, allowing absorption of from 15% to 35% of intake.
After transferring to the bone marrow cells, iron forms a complex with heme proteins for hemoglobin synthesis. [2] Different dosage forms of iron preparation have different absorption mechanisms. Iron in oral iron preparations is absorbed in the gut via transporters and carrier proteins and released to the bloodstream. [3]
[8] [9] It appears that this links erythropoietin-driven eyrthropoiesis with the iron mobilization needed for hemoglobin synthesis. Loss of function of the erythropoietin receptor or JAK2 in mice cells causes failure in erythropoiesis, so production of red blood cells in embryos and growth is disrupted.
Infants, toddlers, and pregnant women have higher than average needs. Increased iron intake is also needed to offset blood losses due to digestive tract issues, frequent blood donations, or heavy menstrual periods. [72] Iron is an essential part of hemoglobin, and low iron levels result in decreased incorporation of hemoglobin into red blood cells.
The structure of adult human hemoglobin. α and β subunits are shown in red and blue, and the iron-containing heme groups in green. From PDB: 1GZX Proteopedia Hemoglobin. Hemoglobin A (HbA), also known as adult hemoglobin, hemoglobin A1 or α 2 β 2, is the most common human hemoglobin tetramer, accounting for over 97% of the total red blood ...