Question

Why is leghaemoglobin so called?

Answer 1

Leghemoglobin:

1. Leghaemoglobin is a red-coloured pigment found in the root nodules of leguminous plants.
2. It is named so because it chemically and structurally resembles hemoglobin.
3. It is located in the legumes' nitrogen-fixing root nodules.
4. It is created by the bacteria in response to their mutually beneficial relationship with the plant.
5. Leghemoglobin does not exist in the roots that do not produce nodules.
6. In the nodule, the plant expresses the synthesis of heme protein.
7. Leguminous plants' root nodules contain the Rhizobium bacterium.
8. Through the use of nitrogenase, they assist in fixing atmospheric nitrogen.
9. This nitrogenase is oxygen-sensitive.
10. Leghemoglobin buffers the oxygen level in the plant, allowing the nitrogenase activity to operate as it should.
11. In their root nodules, plants like casuarina produce leghemoglobin.