Define transport and storage of iron, Biology

Assignment Help:

Define Transport and Storage of Iron?

You have seen that transferrin binds both newly absorbed iron and iron released after degradation of haemoglobin. Transferrin is a glycoprotein and has two binding sites for Fe3+. It acts as an iron transport protein. Normally, in plasma it is one-third saturated with ferric ions. It distributes iron throughout the body to wherever it is needed, mostly to eiythrocyte precursors in the bone marrow. In iron deficiency, transferrin saturation is reduced while in iron overload, tansferrin saturation gets increased.

Any absorbed iron in excess of body needs is stored in the liver, in two forms, as ferritin and hnemosiderin. Ferritin and haemosiderin are the two major iron storage proteins. The ratio of these two proteins in the liver varies according to the level of iron stored, with fenitin predominating at lower iron concentrations and haemosiderin at higher concentrations. Iron is released from these stores in times of need more readily from feiritin than haemosiderin. Binding of iron by protein during storage and transport serves as a defense mechanism. How? If iron ions are left unbound, the redox activity of iron can lead to the generation of harmful free radicals that can cause damage to the cells and their membranes. We have been reading that once iron is absorbed our body tries to use it conservatively and re-utilizes it again and again. What would happen then, if iron is consumed in excess of our requirements? Further, the iron absorption need not always be complete. Unabsorbed iron would get excreted. Let us read how iron gets excreted from the body.


Related Discussions:- Define transport and storage of iron

How does epistasis affect proportion of phenotypical form, In the hybridiza...

In the hybridization of 2 genes (4 different alleles, 2 of each pair) how does epistasis affect the proportion of phenotypical forms in the F2 generation? In the dihybridism wi

.ecology, Name three sources of biofuel

Name three sources of biofuel

Effect of respiratory frequency, Q. How does the pulmonary ventilation affe...

Q. How does the pulmonary ventilation affect the carbon dioxide concentration in blood? What happens to the carbon dioxide concentration and to the blood pH when the respiratory fr

Plant biodiversity, discuss why obelia is considered to be a special organi...

discuss why obelia is considered to be a special organism in zoology

What is deplasmolysis of plant cells, What is deplasmolysis of plant cells?...

What is deplasmolysis of plant cells? The plant cell when placed under hypertonic medium loses a huge amount of water and its cell membrane detaches from the cell wall. In that

What is eukaryotic cells , What is Eukaryotic Cells ? Eukaryotic Cel...

What is Eukaryotic Cells ? Eukaryotic Cells :  Most cells of higher organisms, and many unicells, contain a nucleus. Organisms whose cells contain a nucleus are called euka

Homologous and heterologous portions human sex chromosomes, What are the ho...

What are the homologous and the heterologous portions of the human sex chromosomes? The Homologous portion is that in which there are genes having alleles in both X and Y sex c

Nutritional demands of sports and dietary recommendations, Define Nutrition...

Define Nutritional Demands of Sports and Dietary Recommendations? There is a strong relationship between nutritional status and physical training. Whether it is to maintain hea

Kuch, how vagina is inserted in cock

how vagina is inserted in cock

Explain separation of homologous chromosomes, Q. What are the respective fu...

Q. What are the respective functions of the separation of homologous chromosomes and of the separation of alike chromatids in meiosis? The separation of homologous chromosomes

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd