Definition

Noun: - Hemoglobin: A protein found in red blood cells that contains iron and gives blood its red color. Its primary function is to carry oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues and to return carbon dioxide from the tissues back to the lungs.

Usage Notes

"hb" is a standard abbreviation for "hemoglobin." It is primarily used in medical, scientific, and clinical contexts, such as in lab reports, research papers, and health discussions. It is not typically used in everyday conversation where the full term "hemoglobin" is preferred.

Examples

• Medical Context:
  • The doctor ordered a blood test to check my hb levels.
  • A low hb count can indicate anemia.
• Scientific Context:
  • The study compared the hb structures of different species.
  • Oxygen binds to the iron atom in the hb molecule.

Advanced Usage

• "HbA1c": A specific form of hemoglobin that is measured to assess long-term average blood glucose levels, crucial in managing diabetes.
  • Her HbA1c test showed improved blood sugar control over the past three months.

Variants and Related Words

• Hemoglobin (full form): The complete, formal term for the protein.
  • Hemoglobin is essential for aerobic respiration.
• Deoxyhemoglobin: The form of hemoglobin not bound to oxygen.
• Oxyhemoglobin: The form of hemoglobin bound to oxygen.

Synonyms

• Haemoglobin: The British English spelling variant of "hemoglobin."

Related Compounds and Phrases

• Hemoglobinopathy: A medical term for a disorder of the hemoglobin molecule, such as sickle cell disease.
• Hemoglobin saturation: A measure of how much oxygen the hemoglobin is carrying.
• Hemoglobin level: A common phrase in healthcare referring to the concentration of hemoglobin in the blood.

Noun

1. a hemoprotein composed of globin and heme that gives red blood cells their characteristic color; function primarily to transport oxygen from the lungs to the body tissues
   • fish have simpler hemoglobin than mammals