Perutz structure

The Perutz structure refers to a detailed model of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. Discovered by scientist Max Perutz, it reveals how hemoglobin's four subunits work together to pick up oxygen in the lungs and release it in the tissues. This structure shows how each part changes shape slightly to optimize oxygen binding and release, allowing efficient transport. Understanding this arrangement helps explain how hemoglobin functions and how mutations can affect oxygen delivery in diseases like sickle cell anemia. It’s a key insight into how our bodies efficiently move oxygen through the bloodstream.