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Monday, April 16, 2012

Monday's Molecule #166

This is another one of those molecules where you have to pay close attention to the structure. There are many similar molecules and you won't win unless you are very specific. You don't need the full IUPAC name. You do need to identify the function of this molecule.

Post your answer in the comments. I'll hold off releasing any comments for 24 hours. The first one with the correct answers wins. I will only post correct answers to avoid embarrassment. The winner will be treated to a free lunch.

There could be two winners. If the first correct answer isn't from an undergraduate student then I'll select a second winner from those undergraduates who post the correct answer. You will need to identify yourself as an undergraduate in order to win. (Put "undergraduate" at the bottom of your comment.)

Some past winners are from distant lands so their chances of taking up my offer of a free lunch are slim. (That's why I can afford to do this!)

In order to win you must post your correct name. Anonymous and pseudoanonymous commenters can't win the free lunch.

Winners will have to contact me by email to arrange a lunch date.

Comments are invisible for 24 hours. Comments are now open.

UPDATE: The molecule is heme a, a component of cytochrome a and cytochrome a3. The cytochromes are cofactors in oxidation-reduction reactions where the heme group serves as an electron donor or acceptor. Today's winner is Raul A. Félix de Sousa. Several anonymous/pseudoanonymous respondants were also correct.

Winners
Nov. 2009: Jason Oakley, Alex Ling
Oct. 17: Bill Chaney, Roger Fan
Oct. 24: DK
Oct. 31: Joseph C. Somody
Nov. 7: Jason Oakley
Nov. 15: Thomas Ferraro, Vipulan Vigneswaran
Nov. 21: Vipulan Vigneswaran (honorary mention to Raul A. Félix de Sousa)
Nov. 28: Philip Rodger
Dec. 5: 凌嘉誠 (Alex Ling)
Dec. 12: Bill Chaney
Dec. 19: Joseph C. Somody
Jan. 9: Dima Klenchin
Jan. 23: David Schuller
Jan. 30: Peter Monaghan
Feb. 7: Thomas Ferraro, Charles Motraghi
Feb. 13: Joseph C. Somody
March 5: Albi Celaj
March 12: Bill Chaney, Raul A. Félix de Sousa
March 19: no winner
March 26: John Runnels, Raul A. Félix de Sousa
April 2: Sean Ridout
April 9: no winner
April 16: Raul A. Félix de Sousa


9 comments :

GW said...

I believe that molecule is Heme A

Oliver Spicer said...

Heme a, found in cytochromes, important for oxidative phosphorylation along mitochon membrane

DGA said...

"Heme A was first isolated by the great German biochemist Otto Warburg in 1951 and shown by him to be the active component of the integral membrane metalloprotein cytochrome c oxidase" - Wikipedia

Eric said...

Heme A, it is found in cytochrome proteins were it functions to bind metal ions used in binding oxygen and electron transfers.

Nostranoodle said...

Heme A in its oxidised form. Cofactor for cytochrome C oxidase (important respiratory protein) and target of cyanide and other respiratory poisons.

Raul A. Félix de Sousa said...

Molecule # 166 is Heme A, in its oxidised form (i.e. with Fe3+) . It binds to Cytochrome c oxidase, an essential component of the electron transport chain in mitocondria and bacteria, central the process of aerobic respiration.

Dmitri Tchigvintsev said...

The molecule is Heme A, which is found in cytochrome a and a3 as part of the cytochrome c oxidase complex at the end of the electron tranport chain. The iron atoms found in the middle of the two Heme A molecules play a role in transporing electrons from cytochrome c to the O2 molecules in order to allow the formation of water and the tranport of 4 hydrogen ions across the inner membrane of the mitochondria.
(UofT Undergraduate)

alexandra c. said...

heme A
:)

Bill Chaney said...

Heme a

It is the heme group of cytochromes a and a3 in complex IV (cytochrome c oxidase) of the electron transport chain. It participates in the transfer of electrons from cytochrome c to oxygen.