Lesson 3: Iron

Iron is a chemical element with the atomic number 26. It is a metal that belongs to group 8 of the periodic table, and is the most common element on our planet.

  • The chemical symbol for Iron is Fe
  • It produces 2+ and 3+ ions
  • It is part of haemoglobin – a quaternary globular protein
    • 4 polypeptide chains
    • haem group (Fe²⁺)
    • Oxygen binds to this group
  • Oxyhaemoglobin contain Fe³⁺ (oxygen and haemoglobin)