Consider the metalloprotein hemoglobin, which has four heme groups each coordinated to a single iron ion. Suppose that ferrous iron in the heme group of hemoglobin is oxidized to ferric state by reacting with hydrogen peroxide. Calculate the number of hydrogen peroxide molecules needed to oxidize all the iron ions of hemoglobin in a human body that has a total of 5 liters of blood, assuming the concentration of hemoglobin in blood is 15 grams per liter.

Question

Consider the metalloprotein hemoglobin, which has four heme groups each coordinated to a single iron ion. Suppose that ferrous iron in the heme group of hemoglobin is oxidized to ferric state by reacting with hydrogen peroxide. Calculate the number of hydrogen peroxide molecules needed to oxidize all the iron ions of hemoglobin in a human body that has a total of 5 liters of blood, assumi

Answer 1

To calculate the number of hydrogen peroxide molecules needed to oxidize all the iron ions of hemoglobin in a human body, we need to follow these steps:1. Calculate the total amount of hemoglobin in the body.2. Convert the mass of hemoglobin to moles.3. Calculate the moles of iron ions in the hemoglobin.4. Calculate the moles of hydrogen peroxide needed to oxidize all the iron ions.5. Convert the moles of hydrogen peroxide to molecules.Step 1: Calculate the total amount of hemoglobin in the body.Total blood volume = 5 litersConcentration of hemoglobin = 15 grams per literTotal hemoglobin = Total blood volume  Concentration of hemoglobinTotal hemoglobin = 5 L  15 g/L = 75 gramsStep 2: Convert the mass of hemoglobin to moles.Molar mass of hemoglobin  64,500 g/molMoles of hemoglobin = Total hemoglobin / Molar mass of hemoglobinMoles of hemoglobin = 75 g / 64,500 g/mol  0.00116 molStep 3: Calculate the moles of iron ions in the hemoglobin.Each hemoglobin molecule has 4 iron ions.Moles of iron ions = Moles of hemoglobin  4Moles of iron ions = 0.00116 mol  4  0.00464 molStep 4: Calculate the moles of hydrogen peroxide needed to oxidize all the iron ions.1 mole of hydrogen peroxide reacts with 1 mole of iron ions.Moles of hydrogen peroxide = Moles of iron ionsMoles of hydrogen peroxide = 0.00464 molStep 5: Convert the moles of hydrogen peroxide to molecules.Avogadro's number = 6.022  10^23 molecules/molMolecules of hydrogen peroxide = Moles of hydrogen peroxide  Avogadro's numberMolecules of hydrogen peroxide = 0.00464 mol  6.022  10^23 molecules/mol  2.79  10^21 moleculesTherefore, approximately 2.79  10^21 molecules of hydrogen peroxide are needed to oxidize all the iron ions of hemoglobin in a human body with 5 liters of blood and a hemoglobin concentration of 15 grams per liter.