The most common Christmas meat is Turkey. Eggnog is the most common Christmas drink. Stuffing is a traditional Christmas dish. Lemon meringue pie is a common Christmas dessert. Squash may be featured as a Christmas food.
Researchers at the BSC and the IRB Barcelona unveil crucial information about the protein transporter of oxygen, which opens up the possibility to optimize its function by introducing modifications. The transport of oxygen in blood is undertaken by hemoglobin, the largest component of red blood cells. This protein collects oxygen in respiratory organs, mainly in the lungs, and releases it in tissues in order to generate the energy necessary for cell survival.
Hemoglobin, the main component of the red blood cell, functions in the transportation of oxygen and CO2. Hemoglobin consists of 1 molecule of globin and 4 molecules of heme (each containing 1 molecule of iron in the ferrous state). Globin consists of 2 pairs of polypeptide chains. In the hemoglobin molecule, each polypeptide chain is associated with 1 heme group; each heme group can combine with 1 molecule of oxygen or CO2. Hemoglobin carries oxygen from places of high oxygen pressure (lungs) to places of low oxygen pressure (tissues), where it readily releases the oxygen.