[Structure and functions of hemoglobin]

The present status of our knowledge of different levels of hemoglobin molecule structural organization and of the conformation changes accompanying a hemoglobin action is reviewed. The main functional properties of hemoglobin such as cooperative effects in oxygen binding. CO2 transport, protons and organic phosphates effects on oxygen affinity are described on molecular ground. The description is based on the data obtained by different physical and chemical methods especially by X-ray analysis. The application of some mathematical models of cooperative effects in enzymes to hemoglobin is discussed.