What is the Difference Between Heme and Hemin?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Heme and hemin are both iron-containing porphyrin molecules, but they have different structures and properties:
- Iron ion: Heme contains a ferrous ion (Fe2+), while hemin contains a ferric ion (Fe3+).
- Coordinating ion: The coordinating ion in heme is a hydroxide ion, whereas in hemin, it is a chloride ion.
- Chemical structure: Heme does not contain chloride atoms, whereas hemin molecules contain chloride atoms in their structure.
- Source: Hemin can be formed from heme, such as heme B found in human blood, and is endogenously produced in the human body during the turnover of old red blood cells. Heme, on the other hand, is a biochemical substance necessary for binding oxygen in the bloodstream.
In summary, the key difference between heme and hemin lies in the iron ion, coordinating ion, and the presence of chloride atoms in their respective chemical structures.
Comparative Table: Heme vs Hemin
Heme and hemin are both porphyrin protein molecules, but they have some differences in their structure and composition. Here is a table summarizing the differences between heme and hemin:
Property | Heme | Hemin |
---|---|---|
Iron Ion | Ferrous (Fe2+) | Ferric (Fe3+) |
Chloride Atoms | None | Present |
Oxygen Transport | Binds oxygen in bloodstream (hemoglobin, myoglobin) | Used in cytochromes for electron transport, energy storage |
Biosynthesis | Produced in bone marrow and liver | Produced in human body during turnover of old red blood cells, hemolysis, or vascular injury |
Medical Use | Necessary for oxygen transport in bloodstream | Used to treat acute intermittent porphyria and other hepatic porphyrias |
Chloride Ligand | None | Ferric iron ion with coordinating chloride ligand |
Heme is a biochemical substance necessary for binding oxygen in the bloodstream, while hemin is a component of heme B used in various biological functions. Both heme and hemin are coordination complexes, containing iron ions.
Read more:
- Iron vs Hemoglobin
- Heme vs Nonheme Iron
- Hemocyanin vs Hemoglobin
- Hemoglobin vs Hematocrit
- Hemiacetal vs Hemiketal
- Ferritin vs Hemosiderin
- Blood vs Hemolymph
- Chlorophyll vs Haemoglobin
- Hemochromatosis vs Hemosiderosis
- Magnetite vs Hematite
- Hemolytic Anemia vs Iron Deficiency Anemia
- Anemia vs Hemophilia
- Ferritin vs Hemoglobin
- Dialysis vs Hemodialysis
- Hematopoiesis vs Erythropoiesis
- Hemoglobin vs Myoglobin
- Hemochromatosis vs Thalassemia
- Hematoma vs Hemangioma
- Normal Hemoglobin vs Sickle Cell Hemoglobin