Haem
Haem
Haem (pronounced: /heɪm/), also known as heme in North America, is a crucial component of haemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen in the blood. The term "haem" is derived from the Greek word "haima" meaning blood.
Etymology
The term "haem" comes from the Greek word "haima" which translates to "blood". This is due to the vital role haem plays in the transportation of oxygen in the blood.
Function
Haem is a porphyrin containing an iron atom, which is responsible for binding oxygen in organisms that require oxygen for survival. It is a critical component of haemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. Haem is also found in myoglobin, a protein that provides oxygen to muscles, and in various enzymes involved in drug metabolism and detoxification processes.
Related Terms
- Haemoglobin: A protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.
- Myoglobin: A protein that provides oxygen to muscles.
- Porphyrin: A group of organic compounds, many of which are biologically important as they form the core of haem, chlorophyll, and other heme-containing compounds.
- Iron: A chemical element that is a crucial component of haem and is responsible for binding oxygen.
See Also
- Haematology: The branch of medicine concerned with the study of blood, blood-forming organs, and blood diseases.
- Haemolysis: The rupture or destruction of red blood cells.
- Haemostasis: The process of stopping bleeding.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Haem
- Wikipedia's article - Haem
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