Cell Language Theory, The: Connecting Mind And Matter

84 The Cell Language Theory: Connecting Mind and Matter

b2861 The Cell Language Theory: Connecting Mind and Matter “6x9”

hemoglobin a molecular machine delivering oxygen to where it is needed

and removing carbon dioxide from where it is not needed. Hence hemo-

globin may be considered as one of the smallest SOWAWN machines,

or “Self-Organizing Whenever And Wherever Needed” machines

(Section 2.6).

Based on his binding potential theory of ligand–macromolecule inter-

actions [175], Wyman deduced that there are two kinds of linkages within

a biopolymer with more than two binding sites such as the hemoglobin

molecule with the O 2 and H+ binding sites. A true linkage exists between

two binding sites located within a biopolymer or a biopolymer complex,

if binding of a ligand to one site affects the binding affinity of the other

site for its cognate ligand as indicated by the curvy lines connecting X to

Figure 3.16 The structure of hemoglobin and the Bohr effect. The binding of the oxygen

molecules to the heme irons cause the release of protons due to lowering of the pKa values

of certain amino acid residues located some distance away from the heme centers and near

the surface of the hemoglobin molecule. Adopted from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/

Hemoglobin.

b2861_Ch-03.indd 84 17-10-2017 11:46:21 AM