George 1 Emmett George AP Biology 13-14 August 9th, 2013 Molecule of the Month Myoglobin Myoglobin is a very small

protein with a bright red color. This is the protein that is in meat and makes it look bright red before it is cooked. This protein, an essential element necessary in animal muscles, stores oxygen for the bodys muscles to constantly use each and every second. While muscles may not be working strenuously at every moment of everyday, theyre still an important function in order for the human body to work. The structure of a single myoglobin molecule has an iron atom at the center of the protein strands that holds the oxygen molecules tightly together. The oxygen molecules are buried within the protein surrounding the iron atom, so in order for them to move in and out of the protein, the protein performs a small flexing and breathing motion, similar to when the lungs expand and condense when we breath. These oxygen molecules are constantly renewed and stored within the myoglobin protein for the purpose of a functioning muscular system in the body.