Hemoprotein

/ˌhɛmoʊˈproʊtin/ noun

Definition

Any protein that contains a heme group, such as hemoglobin or myoglobin, which binds and transports oxygen.

Etymology

From Greek 'haima' (blood) + English 'protein'. The term emerged in biochemistry in the 20th century to classify a major category of oxygen-binding proteins.

Kelly Says

Hemoproteins are nature's oxygen delivery system—hemoglobin in your blood and myoglobin in your muscles both use the exact same iron-containing heme group, just in different jobs!

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