Which hemoglobin is resistant to alkali denaturation in NaOH?

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Multiple Choice

Which hemoglobin is resistant to alkali denaturation in NaOH?

Explanation:
The key idea is how different hemoglobins react to strong alkaline conditions. Fetal hemoglobin has a gamma-chain–rich structure that makes the Hb tetramer more stable in high pH, so it resists unfolding and denaturation when exposed to NaOH. In contrast, adult forms like Hb A and other variants such as Hb C or Hb S lack that same gamma-chain–based stability, so they denature more readily in alkaline solution. That’s why Hb F stands out as resistant to alkali denaturation in NaOH.

The key idea is how different hemoglobins react to strong alkaline conditions. Fetal hemoglobin has a gamma-chain–rich structure that makes the Hb tetramer more stable in high pH, so it resists unfolding and denaturation when exposed to NaOH. In contrast, adult forms like Hb A and other variants such as Hb C or Hb S lack that same gamma-chain–based stability, so they denature more readily in alkaline solution. That’s why Hb F stands out as resistant to alkali denaturation in NaOH.

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