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A lot of sources tell me that RBCs contain a number of enzymes, and that these serve multiple functions from maintaining the structure and elasticity of the corpuscle wall, to preventing the oxidation of iron (ferrous) in Haemoglobin to the +3 Ferric state.

But what none of them say, is what problems (if any) arise when the iron is oxidised. Hence the question, why avoid the Ferric state?

I'm still a high-schooler and from what I've learnt, is that the higher the oxidation state of the cation, the higher its polarising power (Fajan's Rules) hence stronger the bond. So wouldn't iron in the Ferric state be able to bind with oxygen better, and isn't that desirable? ( Or is oxygen release to tissues going to be problematic? )

If the Ferric state is desirable, then why do RBCs have mechanisms (the enzymes mentioned earlier) in place to prevent the oxidation of the Ferrous to the Ferric state?

Thanks!

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Q. “What problems (if any) arise when the iron is oxidised?”

A. Haemoglobin will be converted to methaemoglobin which cannot bind oxygen.

To quote from the article on Methaemoglobin in Wikipedia:

Methemoglobin (English: methaemoglobin) (pronounced "met-hemoglobin") is a form of the oxygen-carrying metalloprotein hemoglobin, in which the iron in the heme group is in the Fe3+ (ferric) state, not the Fe2+ (ferrous) of normal hemoglobin. Methemoglobin cannot bind oxygen, unlike oxyhemoglobin. It is bluish chocolate-brown in color. In human blood a trace amount of methemoglobin is normally produced spontaneously, but when present in excess the blood becomes abnormally dark bluish brown. The NADH-dependent enzyme methemoglobin reductase (diaphorase I) is responsible for converting methemoglobin back to hemoglobin.

The question also asks:

“…the higher the oxidation state of the cation, the higher its polarising power… hence stronger the bond.So wouldn't iron in the Ferric state be able to bind with oxygen better…”

which can be transformed into:

“Why can‘t methaemoglobin bind oxygen?”

The answer is chemically rather complex, but one thing you should be aware of is that in haemoglobin (and myoglobin) the oxygen Fe(II) is five-coordinated (as shown in the diagram below where Fe is black) and binds oxygen in the sixth position (to the right).

Haem pocket and haem

In simple terms, the electronic change in oxidation to Fe(III) causes a change in the geometry of the haem pocket such that oxygen no longer can bind (although now water can). This page elaborates the point, without providing a full chemical answer.

Footnote: Fe(II) or Fe2+ ?

Some readers may be wondering why I have referred to the ferrous state of Fe in haem as Fe(II) and not Fe2+ (which the Wikipedia entry uses). This is to avoid implying that there is an overall charge of 2+ on haem groups in haemglobin and myoglobin. Inspection of the structure of haem (above) will show that the formation of two covalent bonds to imidazole nitrogens has left haem with a zero net charge.

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  • $\begingroup$ I have added a section to address in a more chemical/structural manner the question I previously ignored — why Fe(III) cannot bind oxygen. $\endgroup$
    – David
    Aug 26, 2016 at 21:44
  • $\begingroup$ I have added a footnote about oxidation state nomenclature of Fe and the actual net charge on haem, provided a diagram and annotated the diagram of the haem pocket. $\endgroup$
    – David
    Aug 27, 2016 at 17:24
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what problems (if any) arise when the iron is oxidised: Nothing.

It's part of the transfer job :) Hemoglobin from RBCs is responsible for oxygen transfer through your blood vessels all around your body and oxygen molecules attach the heme(Fe) group of hemoglobin protein. In fact the special physical form of this molecule which is ferrous (Fe2+) allow it to transfer oxygen molecules. When an oxygen molecule binds to hemoglobin it temporarily transfers to the ferric form (Fe3+). So when a hemoglobin oxidizes to the ferric form there will be no place for oxygen to bond with.

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    $\begingroup$ I think you should withdraw your conclusion of "nothing". The question asks about systems for reoxidiizing haemoglobin. These do exist, and deal with haemoglobin that has the Fe(II) irreversibly oxidized to Fe(III) in methaemoglobin, with oxygen concomitantly reduced. You are talking about the oxidiation state of Fe in the deoxy-haemoglobin complex which is thought to be nearer to III than to II. Fair enough, but you should make that clear and admit that you are not addressing the main concerns of the question. $\endgroup$
    – David
    Aug 26, 2016 at 21:52
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To state it simply: Hemoglobin is the oxygen transporter in the body. The oxygen binds to the iron in ferrous state in the hemoglobin molecule. Hemoglobin takes up O2 from the lungs and transports it to the peripheral tissues for their respiratory needs.

True, that according to the rules of chemical bonding oxygen would form a stronger bond with ferric than with ferrous. And this would sure be desirable if we were to only consider oxygen uptake. The oxygen loaded onto hemoglobin also needs to be unloaded in the tissues for their usage, which would be difficult with ferric iron. Hence oxyhemoblogin (Hb[Fe2+]+O2) transports oxygen While methemoglobin, oxidised hemoglobin, doesn’t. It’s rather bad for our body to have it more than it’s usual level i.e, 1% of total hemoglobin. And erythrocytes(RBC) have mechanisms to regulate the same. Hope this helps.

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Because RBC'S contain certain enzymes which prevent the Oxidation of ferrus to ferric. Other reason is that ferrus is only capable of binding oxygen and not the ferric iron.That's why iron is present in ferrus form and not in ferric form.

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  • $\begingroup$ Welcome to Biology.SE! It isn't clear that this adds anything to the existing answers. In addition, answers are much more likely to receive a favorable response if you include supporting references (primary literature is best). Without that support, your answer is indistinguishable from opinion. ——— Please take the tour and then consult the help pages for additional advice on How to Answer effectively on this site. Thanks! 😊 $\endgroup$
    – tyersome
    Mar 1, 2020 at 17:13

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