HAEMERYTHRIN Meaning and
Definition
-
Haemerythrin is a noun that refers to a type of respiratory pigment found in certain marine invertebrates, especially in annelids, like bristle worms, and some arthropods. It is a complex protein that functions as an oxygen carrier, in a similar manner to hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein found in red blood cells.
This respiratory pigment contains iron within its molecular structure, giving it a distinct reddish color. It plays a vital role in the transportation and storage of oxygen within the organism's body. Haemerythrin is particularly important in marine organisms that live in low-oxygen environments, such as deep-sea sediments.
When haemerythrin comes into contact with oxygen, it undergoes reversible chemical changes, which allow it to effectively bind with oxygen molecules. This process allows the organism to efficiently extract oxygen from the environment and deliver it to the cells, ensuring their proper functioning.
Haemerythrin is known for its high affinity for oxygen, enabling it to efficiently absorb and release oxygen even in low oxygen environments. This characteristic sets it apart from other respiratory pigments, such as hemocyanin or hemoglobin. Although haemerythrin is mostly found in marine invertebrates, it has also been identified in a few species of terrestrial invertebrates.
In summary, haemerythrin is an iron-based respiratory pigment found in marine invertebrates, performing an essential role in oxygen transportation and storage within their bodies in environments with low oxygen availability.
Common Misspellings for HAEMERYTHRIN
- hemeerythrin
- hemerythrin
- Hamerythrin
- haemmerythrin
- Hemerythrine
- Hamerythrine
- Haemerithrin
- Hemaerythrin
- Haemmerithrin
Etymology of HAEMERYTHRIN
The word "haemerythrin" is derived from two components: "haeme" and "erythrin".
The term "haeme" comes from the Greek word "haima", meaning blood. It refers to the iron-containing component found in hemoglobin, which is responsible for binding and transporting oxygen in the blood.
The term "erythrin" comes from the Greek word "erythros", meaning red. It generally refers to any compound or pigment that has a red color.
Therefore, "haemerythrin" combines these two terms to describe a protein or pigment containing iron that is associated with the color red. Haemerythrin is a respiratory protein found in certain marine invertebrates, such as brachiopods and priapulids, and it plays a role in oxygen transport and storage similar to hemoglobin in vertebrates.
