Question

Which among the following best defines leg-haemoglobin?

• A. Respiratory pigment supplying oxygen to animal legs
• B. Haemoglobin of annelids
• C. Pigment helping in nitrogen fixation
• D. None of the above

Answer 1

The correct option is C Pigment helping in nitrogen fixation

Leg-haemoglobin is similar to haemoglobin and is a pigment in the root nodules of leguminous plants and is essential for nitrogen fixation. The enzyme nitrogenase responsible for nitrogen fixation is sensitive to oxygen and requires anaerobic conditions. Leg-haemoglobin acts as an oxygen scavenger and helps in oxygen removal and thus provides anaerobic conditions for the enzyme to work.