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Topic: Reaction of cytochrome c with sodium dithionite (Na₂S₂O₄)  (Read 2413 times)

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Offline Med lab student

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Reaction of cytochrome c with sodium dithionite (Na₂S₂O₄)
« on: October 07, 2019, 07:38:48 AM »
Hi,

We did an experiment in college where we used ion exchange chromatography to separate a mixture of cytochrome c and katalase. The experiment was succesful, we could clearly see the 2 separate components afterwords. But we had to do a test to make sure it was cytochrome c in 1 test tube and katalase in the other. For the cytochrome c, we added a little Na₂S₂O₄, and the color turned bright pink, so the test was positive. We are supposed to explain what caused the change in color, and I just can't figure it out. Is there anybody who can help me?
Thanks a lot in advance.

Offline chenbeier

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Re: Reaction of cytochrome c with sodium dithionite (Na₂S₂O₄)
« Reply #1 on: October 07, 2019, 08:27:47 AM »
What kind of chemical is dithionite?

Offline Med lab student

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Re: Reaction of cytochrome c with sodium dithionite (Na₂S₂O₄)
« Reply #2 on: October 07, 2019, 09:12:15 AM »
sodium dithionite , aka sodium hydrosulfite (Na₂S₂O₄)

Offline chenbeier

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Re: Reaction of cytochrome c with sodium dithionite (Na₂S₂O₄)
« Reply #3 on: October 07, 2019, 09:27:26 AM »
No I mean what behaviour has this compound.

Offline Babcock_Hall

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Re: Reaction of cytochrome c with sodium dithionite (Na₂S₂O₄)
« Reply #4 on: October 07, 2019, 12:25:44 PM »
According to the rules of the forum, you must provide your thoughts before we can help you.  What is the prosthetic group in cytochrome c?  What is the biochemical function of cytochrome c?

Offline Med lab student

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Re: Reaction of cytochrome c with sodium dithionite (Na₂S₂O₄)
« Reply #5 on: October 07, 2019, 03:02:10 PM »
I understand. Cytochrome c has a heme prosthetic group, so it's a hemoprotein. Meaning it has the same red pigment as hemoglobin. Its function is involvement in the electron transport system in oxidative phosphorilation. I don't really get how that has to do with the reaction in question though. I'm sorry, I didn't take biochemistry yet, so I don't know that much about it.

Offline wildfyr

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Re: Reaction of cytochrome c with sodium dithionite (Na₂S₂O₄)
« Reply #6 on: October 07, 2019, 03:43:14 PM »
There is a specific atom at the center of that heme, what might happen to it in the presence of sodium dithionite?

Sodium dithionite is a well known reagent of a certain class of chemicals. What is its main reactive pathway?Wikipedia should give it do you readily.

Offline Babcock_Hall

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Re: Reaction of cytochrome c with sodium dithionite (Na₂S₂O₄)
« Reply #7 on: October 07, 2019, 04:17:01 PM »
Cytochrome c carries electrons from Complex III to Complex IV in the electron transport chain.  Carrying electrons is the job of the heme group, specifically the atom at the center of the heme group.

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