Chlorophyll, responsible for photosynthesis, is a coordination compound of magnesium. Hemoglobin, the oxygen carrier in blood, is a coordination compound of iron. Vitamin B₁₂, vital for combating pernicious anemia, is a coordination compound of cobalt.
What are the biological roles of coordination compounds in chlorophyll, hemoglobin, and vitamin B₁₂?
Share
In chlorophyll, a coordination compound, the central magnesium ion plays a crucial role in capturing light energy during photosynthesis. Hemoglobin, a metalloprotein, contains iron coordinated to heme groups, enabling oxygen transport in red blood cells. Vitamin B₁₂, a complex cobalt-containing compound, serves as a cofactor in various enzymatic reactions, particularly in DNA synthesis and red blood cell formation. Coordination compounds in these biological molecules facilitate essential functions, such as light absorption, oxygen binding and transport, and enzymatic reactions, highlighting their pivotal roles in photosynthesis, respiration, and metabolism in living organisms.