Transient and cryogenic studies of photodissociated hemoglobin and myoglobin.

This paper is to appear as a chapter in Biological Applications of Raman Spectroscopy, Vol.III, Resonance Raman Spectra of Heme Proteins. The paper describes the properties of the resonance Raman spectra from photodissociated hemoglobin and myoglobin obtained by transient and cryogenic methods. A large section of the paper discusses the molecular basis of the biological function of these proteins that has been derived from studies of the photodissociated intermediates. Finally, directions for new experiments are indicated to approach a full understanding of the molecular mechanism for controlled oxygen binding and release in hemoglobin and myoglobin.