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haem

/hiːm/

Meanings
noun
The component of hemoglobin (and other hemoproteins) responsible for binding oxygen. It consists of an iron ion that binds oxygen and a porphyrin ring that binds the globin molecules; one molecule binds one molecule of oxygen.

Examples :

"The haem in hemoglobin is essential for carrying oxygen throughout the body, and a deficiency can cause fatigue. "
biochemistry physiology medicine biology anatomy chemistry science organism body function part

Related Words

Illustration carrying

carrying verb

/ˈkæɹiɪŋ/

To lift (something) and take it to another place; to transport (something) by lifting.

"She was carrying a heavy backpack to school. "

Illustration essential

essential noun

/ɪˈsɛn.ʃəl/

A necessary ingredient.

"Salt is an essential for cooking a good soup. "

Illustration deficiency

deficiency noun

/dɪˈfɪʃənsi/

Inadequacy or incompleteness.

"The student's essay showed a deficiency in research, making it hard to support the main points. "

Illustration consists

consists verb

/kənˈsɪsts/

To be.

"Our lunch consists of a sandwich, an apple, and a drink. "

Illustration responsible

responsible noun

/ɹɪˈspɒnsəbl̩/ /ɹɪˈspɑnsəbl̩/

The individual who bears the responsibility for something.

"The responsible for the project is Maria. "

Illustration binding

binding verb

/ˈbaɪndɪŋ/

To tie; to confine by any ligature.

"The teacher's instructions were binding; we had to complete the assignment before Friday. "

Illustration component

component noun

/kʌmˈpoʊnənt/

A smaller, self-contained part of a larger entity. Often refers to a manufactured object that is part of a larger device.

"A CPU is a component of a computer."

Illustration throughout

throughout adverb

/θɹuˈʌʊt/ [θɹuːˈʷaʊt]

Completely through, right the way through.

"The teacher explained the lesson thoroughly throughout the entire class period. "

Illustration molecules

molecules noun

/ˈmɑːlɪkjuːlz/ /ˈmɒlɪkjuːlz/

The smallest particle of a specific element or compound that retains the chemical properties of that element or compound; two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds.

"Hydrogen chloride is a diatomic molecule, consisting of a hydrogen atom and a chlorine atom."

Illustration hemoglobin

hemoglobin noun

/ˈhiːməˌɡloʊbɪn/ /ˈhɛməˌɡloʊbɪn/

The iron-containing substance in red blood cells that transports oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body; it consists of a protein (globulin), and haem (a porphyrin ring with an atom of iron at its centre).

"My grandpa, who has low hemoglobin, needs to eat more iron-rich foods to improve his oxygen levels. "

Illustration porphyrin

porphyrin noun

/ˈpɔːfɪɹɪn/ /ˈpɔɹfəɹɪn/

Any of a class of heterocyclic compounds containing pyrrole rings arranged in a square or other similar shape; they are important in biochemistry in a form with a metal atom in the central cavity (hemoglobin with iron, chlorophyll with magnesium, etc.).

"Hemoglobin, the molecule that carries oxygen in our blood, contains a porphyrin ring with an iron atom at its center. "

Illustration molecule

molecule noun

/ˈmɒləkjuːl/ /ˈmɑləkjul/

The smallest particle of a specific element or compound that retains the chemical properties of that element or compound; two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds.

"Hydrogen chloride is a diatomic molecule, consisting of a hydrogen atom and a chlorine atom."