Uptake and Transport of Oxygen by Haemoglobin

Dioxygen, O2, is a vital part of the metabolism of higher organisms that respire aerobically. It is used to metabolically oxidise sugars such as glucose and sucrose (Equation 2.7) with an associated release of energy. The energy from this controlled cold combustion is used in ATP synthesis. 

Furthermore, O2 binding must occur selectively amongst other atmospheric components such as water, N2, CO2 and even excellent ligands for Fe(II) such as CO. Haemoglobin is thus an excellent example of a functional and selective supramolecular receptor. 

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