hemoglobin
- Noun:
- A protein in red blood cells: Hemoglobin is a complex protein found in the red blood cells of vertebrates and some invertebrates. Its primary function is to carry oxygen from the respiratory organs (like lungs or gills) to the body's tissues.
- Oxygen transport molecule: It is a hemoprotein, meaning it contains an iron-containing component called heme. This heme group binds to oxygen molecules, allowing for their transport in the bloodstream. The protein part is called globin.
- Noun:
- A doctor can check your hemoglobin level with a simple blood test.
- Oxygen binds to the iron in hemoglobin, turning blood bright red.
- Sickle cell anemia is caused by an abnormality in the structure of hemoglobin.
"Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)": A form of hemoglobin that is chemically linked to sugar (glucose). Measuring it in blood tests provides an average of a person's blood sugar levels over the past two to three months, which is crucial for managing diabetes.
- Her doctor was pleased because her hemoglobin A1c level had improved.
"Fetal hemoglobin (HbF)": The type of hemoglobin found in the fetus and newborn. It has a higher affinity for oxygen than adult hemoglobin, allowing efficient oxygen transfer from the mother's blood.
- Fetal hemoglobin is normally replaced by adult hemoglobin within the first year of life.
Haemoglobin: The British English spelling of "hemoglobin". The meaning is identical.
- The report listed her haemoglobin count.
Hemoglobinopathy (n): A medical term for a group of disorders caused by abnormalities in the hemoglobin molecule's structure or production (e.g., sickle cell disease, thalassemia).
- Genetic counseling is recommended for families with a history of hemoglobinopathy.
Hemoglobinemia (n): The presence of free hemoglobin in the blood plasma, which can occur due to the destruction of red blood cells.
- Hb: The common medical abbreviation for hemoglobin.
- Oxygen-carrying protein: A descriptive synonym highlighting its main function.
Hemoglobin saturation: The percentage of hemoglobin molecules that are carrying their maximum load of oxygen molecules.
- Pulse oximeters measure hemoglobin oxygen saturation.
Hemoglobin concentration: A measure of the amount of hemoglobin in a given volume of blood, often reported in grams per deciliter (g/dL).
- Low hemoglobin concentration is a sign of anemia.
- 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