Heme = prosthetic group that mediates reversible binding of oxygen by haemoglobin
Globin = protein that surrounds and protects the heme molecule
Heme is synthesized in a complex series of steps which involves enzymes in mitochondrian adn in teh cytosol of the cell.
1. Condensation of succinyl CoA and glycine by Aminolevunite acid (ALA) synthase to form 5-Aminolevunite (ALA) in mitochondrion
2. ALA transported into the cytosol where a series of reactions produces a ring structure Coproporphyrinogen III
3. Coproporphyrinogen III return to mitochondrion which reacts with Coprophyrinogen oxidase to produce Protoporphobilin III
4. Protoporphobilin III oxidises to Protoporphyrin IX
5. Enzyme Ferrochelatase inserts iron into the ring structure of Protoporphyrin IX to produce heme.
