Deoxy-Hemocyanin is Colorless and Diamagnetic

Deoxy-Hemocyanin is a protein that is found in the blood of some mollusks and arthropods. It is responsible for the transport of oxygen in these animals. Let's understand why Deoxy-Hemocyanin is colorless and diamagnetic.

Heme Protein and Paramagnetic

Heme is an iron-containing molecule that is found in many proteins, including hemoglobin and myoglobin. These proteins are responsible for oxygen transport in mammals. Hemoglobin and myoglobin are both paramagnetic, meaning that they are attracted to a magnetic field.

O2 Storage and Paramagnetic

Deoxy-Hemocyanin is not a heme protein, but it also carries oxygen. However, Deoxy-Hemocyanin does not transport oxygen in the same way that hemoglobin and myoglobin do. Instead, it stores oxygen in the form of two copper atoms. Deoxy-Hemocyanin is also paramagnetic because of the copper atoms.

Blue Colored and Diamagnetic

When Deoxy-Hemocyanin binds to oxygen, it becomes oxygenated and turns blue. However, in its deoxygenated form, Deoxy-Hemocyanin is colorless. Moreover, Deoxy-Hemocyanin is diamagnetic because it does not have any unpaired electrons. Therefore, it is not attracted to a magnetic field.

Conclusion

Deoxy-Hemocyanin is a protein that carries and stores oxygen in some mollusks and arthropods. It is not a heme protein and does not transport oxygen in the same way that hemoglobin and myoglobin do. Deoxy-Hemocyanin is colorless and diamagnetic in its deoxygenated form, and blue colored and paramagnetic in its oxygenated form.