The kinetics of hæmoglobin VII—Some notes on the reactivity of freshly reduced hæmoglobin

Abstract

Various results, which are anomalous from the theoretical point of view, have been described and discussed in our previous papers, notably in those dealing with the displacement of O 2 by CO from combination with hæmoglobin, and vice versa . The fact that these anomalies were specially found where dissociation of 1 molecule, e. g. , of O 2 from hæmoglobin is quickly followed by combination with another molecule ( e. g. , of CO), so that the group in the hæmoglobin molecule concerned only remains free for a very short time, suggested to us the possibility that such freshly formed and short lived groups might differ in reactivity from that of same groups, when allowed a longer period of life before meeting the second reactant. For the sake of brevity such freshly-formed and shortly-lived molecules will be referred to as "new" molecules, whilst the molecules with which they are to be contrasted in activity will be called "old".