HEMOZOIN Meaning and
Definition
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Hemozoin is a term used to describe a crystalline substance that is found in the tissues of certain organisms, particularly in the red blood cells of malaria parasites. It is a byproduct of the metabolic breakdown of hemoglobin, the protein responsible for transporting oxygen in the blood.
When malaria parasites infect red blood cells, they feed on the hemoglobin within these cells as a source of nutrients. As a result of this feeding process, hemozoin is produced as a waste product. The hemozoin crystals accumulate within the parasites and can also be found in the surrounding tissues. These crystals are insoluble and have a distinctive dark pigment, which gives infected blood a characteristic black or brown color.
The presence of hemozoin within the malaria parasites and tissues plays a vital role in the pathogenesis of the disease. It is believed that hemozoin helps the parasites avoid detection by the immune system and enhances their survival within the host. The crystals can also cause inflammation and tissue damage, contributing to the symptoms of malaria.
Hemozoin has been extensively used as a target for antimalarial drugs. Several medications work by inhibiting the formation of hemozoin crystals, interfering with the parasite's ability to detoxify the toxic byproducts of hemoglobin digestion. By preventing the formation of hemozoin, these drugs can effectively kill the parasites and help in the treatment of malaria.
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The black pigment, occurring in the form of minute granules, in the cytoplasm of the hemoprotozoa.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for HEMOZOIN
- hemosoin
- gemozoin
- bemozoin
- nemozoin
- jemozoin
- uemozoin
- yemozoin
- hwmozoin
- hsmozoin
- hdmozoin
- hrmozoin
- h4mozoin
- h3mozoin
- henozoin
- hekozoin
- hejozoin
- hemizoin
- hemkzoin
- hemlzoin
- hempzoin
Etymology of HEMOZOIN
The word "hemozoin" is derived from two components: "hemo" and "zoin".
1. "Hemo":
- The term "hemo" is a variation of "heme" or "haem", which refers to the iron-containing part of hemoglobin present in red blood cells. Hemoglobin is responsible for transporting oxygen in the blood. The term "heme" is derived from the Greek word "haîma" meaning "blood".
2. "Zoin":
- The term "zoin" is derived from the Greek word "zoḗ" meaning "life". "Zoin" is a suffix that is often used in scientific terminology to refer to a substance or compound associated with life.
Therefore, "hemozoin" combines these two components to describe a pigment containing heme that is associated with the life cycle of certain parasites.
Similar spelling words for HEMOZOIN
- hamazon,
- homoousion,
- hamson,
- Homoousian,
- haemozoin,
- homousian,
- Homoiousion,
- Hem'isin,
- HiMSEN,
- Homoiousian,
- hamsun,
- Hemozo'on.
