MasteryExams
General Science • BiologyHard

Consider the process of nitrogen fixation in leguminous plant root nodules mediated by symbiotic Rhizobium bacteria. Which specialized oxygen-binding hemoprotein pigment protects the nitrogenase enzyme complex from irreversible oxygen inactivation while supplying adequate oxygen for bacterial respiration?

A. Leghemoglobin✓ Correct Answer
B. Cytochrome c
C. Hemocyanin
D. Myoglobin

💡 Solution & Explanation

Leghemoglobin is a pinkish oxygen-buffering pigment found in nitrogen-fixing root nodules that maintains very low free oxygen concentrations to protect the oxygen-sensitive nitrogenase enzyme. Nitrogenase fixes atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia. Cyanobacteria also fix nitrogen in specialized cells called heterocysts.

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