Hemoglobin is a necessary protein for human life, it performs a number of functions, the main of which is the transport of oxygen to cells and tissues. There are several forms of hemoglobin, each of which has its own characteristics.
Types of protein content
There are two types of forms of human hemoglobin depending on the protein content. It is physiological and abnormal.
Forms of hemoglobin of a physiological type arise at certain stages of human activity. But pathological are formed in the case of an incorrect sequence of placement of a number of amino acids in the globin.
The main types of hemoglobin in forms
In the human body may be present:
- Oxyhemoglobin. This substance interacts with oxygen molecules. It is present in the blood of arteries, so it has a rich scarlet color.
- Carboxyhemoglobin. This type of protein interacts with carbon dioxide molecules. The presented molecules penetrate the lung tissue, where carbon dioxide is removed and oxygen is saturated with hemoglobin. This type of protein is present in venous blood, due to which it has a darker color and greater density.
- Methemoglobin It is a substance that interacts with a variety of chemical agents. The pathological form of hemoglobin, and an increase in the amount of this substance may indicate poisoning of the body, there is a violation of tissue oxygen saturation.
- Myoglobin. It acts as a full-fledged analogue of red blood cells. The main difference is only that the location of this protein is the heart muscle. When muscle damage occurs, myoglobin enters the bloodstream, after which it is excreted due to the functioning of the kidneys. But there is a chance of blockage of the tubule of the kidneys, which can provoke the death of its tissues. In such situations, the occurrence of renal failure and oxygen deficiency in the tissues is not ruled out.
Other types of hemoglobin
In various information sources, such forms of hemoglobin are also distinguished:
- Glycated hemoglobin. This form is an inseparable compound of glucose and protein. This type of glucose can travel through the blood for a long time, so it is used to detect sugar levels.
- Fetal. A hemoglobin form is present in the blood of an embryo or a newborn baby in the first few days of life. It is assigned to active species in terms of oxygen transport, and undergoes rapid destruction under the influence of the environment.
- Sulfhemoglobin. The presented type of protein occurs in the blood when consuming a large number of medications. As a rule, the content of this protein does not exceed 10%.
- Dyshemoglobin. It is formed with such bonds that completely deprive the protein of the ability to carry out its functions. This indicates that this type of hemoglobin will be transported by blood in the form of an additional substance. After a time, it will be processed by the spleen. Under normal health conditions, this substance is found in the body of every person, but if cases of this kind of ligaments become more frequent, then the bodies involved in transporting blood through the body will have to function with increased intensity, as a result of which they will quickly become depleted and wear out.
Pathological forms of hemoglobin
A separate group is allocated:
The form of hemoglobin D-Punjab received its name due to its wide distribution in the territory of Punjab, in India and Pakistan. The occurrence of protein was due to the spread of malaria in various parts of Asia. According to statistics, this protein is found in 55% of the total number of pathological forms of hemoglobin .
Hemoglobin S formed in West Africa as a result of five separate mutations.
Protein C is one of the most common structural types of hemoglobin. People who have this protein can suffer from a disease such as hemolytic anemia.
Hemoglobin H provokes the development of such a serious disease as alpha thalassemia.
Main functions
Regardless of the forms and derivatives of hemoglobin, this substance has the following functions:
- Oxygen transportation. During the inhalation of air masses by a person, oxygen molecules penetrate into lung tissues, and from there they move to other tissues and cells. Hemoglobin connects oxygen molecules and carries out their transportation. In violation of this function, oxygen deficiency occurs, which is very dangerous for the functioning of the brain.
- Carbon dioxide transportation. In this situation, hemoglobin already binds carbon dioxide molecules, and then carries out their transportation.
- Maintaining the level of acidity. With the accumulation of carbon dioxide in the blood, its acidification is observed. This categorically must not be allowed, since the constant removal of carbon dioxide molecules must occur.
Normal performance
In order for doctors to determine the normal forms of hemoglobin in the human body, tests are performed.
It is noted that the norm of free hemoglobin in the blood of people of different ages can have such indicators:
- men aged 18 years - from 120 to 150 g / l;
- women aged 18 years - from 110 to 130 g / l;
- newborns and children under the age of 18 years - 200 g / l.
An increase or decrease in the amount of free hemoglobin in the blood can trigger the transition of the protein to another form - pathological.
A number of methods for stabilizing its amount are noted, therefore, if the results of the analyzes indicate an exceeded or reduced indicator, you should immediately contact a doctor. Due to the presence of a large number of different forms of hemoglobin, only a professional doctor in the laboratory can determine the presence in the body. Its detection becomes possible with a biochemical blood test.