heme

Plural: hemes

Noun

• An iron-containing compound that is a component of hemoglobin.
• a complex red organic pigment containing iron and other atoms to which oxygen binds
• 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 ’HE’ in HEME gave him just enough points to take the lead.

Synonyms

haem, haemitin, hematin, protoheme

Related Words

bilirubin, hemoglobin, red blood cell