Two Types of Hemoglobin

As yet we do not know how the red organs function, but it is clear that they play a major part in supplying the larva of the botfly with oxygen. This is proved by the presence of a large amount of hemoglobin which accounts for the red colour of the cells and whose affinity to oxygen, i. e. the ability to combine with oxygen even when small amounts of the gas are present, is hundreds of times higher than in mammals.

Ascarides are intestine dwellers often found in mammals. Even quite recently it has been maintained that they could manage without oxygen. However, scientists were astonished to find two kinds of hemoglobin in the body of the pig ascarid. This haemoglobin was concentrated at two points, in the wall of the body and in the parenteral liquid which fills the cavity of the body. The outer hemoglobin retains the oxygen 2500 times longer, and the inner hemoglobin 10000 times longer than the pig’s own haemoglobin.

Now why does the ascarid need haemoglobin if it can manage without oxygen? Theoretical calculations show that a system of two hemoglobin with a growing thirst for oxygen may serve as the ideal carrier, especially where there is a considerable oxygen deficiency.

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