oxygen carrier activity

Definition

Target type: molecularfunction

Binding to oxygen and delivering it to an acceptor molecule or a specific location. [GOC:ai]

Oxygen carrier activity is a molecular function that describes the ability of a molecule to bind and transport oxygen. This function is crucial for many biological processes, including respiration, where oxygen is transported from the lungs to the tissues, and photosynthesis, where oxygen is transported from the chloroplasts to the atmosphere. Molecules that exhibit oxygen carrier activity often have specific structural features that allow them to bind and release oxygen reversibly. These features include a metal ion, such as iron or copper, that can coordinate with oxygen, and a surrounding protein structure that helps to stabilize the oxygen-bound state. In some cases, oxygen carrier activity can be regulated by factors such as pH, temperature, or the presence of other ligands. Examples of molecules that exhibit oxygen carrier activity include hemoglobin, myoglobin, and cytochrome c oxidase. Hemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells that transports oxygen from the lungs to the tissues. Myoglobin is a protein found in muscle that stores oxygen and facilitates its delivery to the mitochondria. Cytochrome c oxidase is a protein found in the mitochondrial membrane that uses oxygen as the final electron acceptor in the electron transport chain, generating ATP.'
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Proteins (1)

Compounds (1)