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Myoglobin sketch Alpha helix. 1958 – Myoglobin was the very first crystal structure of a protein molecule. [2] Myoglobin cradles an iron-containing heme group that reversibly binds oxygen for use in powering muscle fibers, and those first crystals were of myoglobin from the sperm whale, whose muscles need copious oxygen storage for deep dives.
Developing protein crystals is a difficult process influenced by many factors, including pH, temperature, ionic strength in the crystallization solution, and even gravity. [3] Once formed, these crystals can be used in structural biology to study the molecular structure of the protein, particularly for various industrial or medical purposes. [4 ...
Examples of network solids include diamond with a continuous network of carbon atoms and silicon dioxide or quartz with a continuous three-dimensional network of SiO 2 units. Graphite and the mica group of silicate minerals structurally consist of continuous two-dimensional sheets covalently bonded within the layer, with other bond types ...
Although the respiratory function of hemocyanin is similar to that of hemoglobin, there are a significant number of differences in its molecular structure and mechanism. Whereas hemoglobin carries its iron atoms in porphyrin rings (heme groups), the copper atoms of hemocyanin are bound as prosthetic groups coordinated by histidine residues.
For example, while biology refers to macromolecules as the four large molecules comprising living things, in chemistry, the term may refer to aggregates of two or more molecules held together by intermolecular forces rather than covalent bonds but which do not readily dissociate.
Crystallization is the process by which solids form, where the atoms or molecules are highly organized into a structure known as a crystal.Some ways by which crystals form are precipitating from a solution, freezing, or more rarely deposition directly from a gas.
Typically, a molecular solid is ductile when it has isotropic intermolecular interactions. This allows for dislocation between layers of the crystal much like metals. [5] [8] [11] For example, plastic crystals are soft, resemble waxes and are easily deformed. One example of a ductile molecular solid, that can be bent 180°, is hexachlorobenzene ...
For example, the molecule acetylene has molecular formula C 2 H 2, but the simplest integer ratio of elements is CH. The molecular mass can be calculated from the chemical formula and is expressed in conventional atomic mass units equal to 1/12 of the mass of a neutral carbon-12 ( 12 C isotope ) atom.