OXYHAEMACYANIN Meaning and
Definition
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Oxyhaemacyanin is a specialized pigment found in certain marine invertebrates, primarily mollusks and arthropods, that enables them to transport oxygen within their bodies. It is composed of a protein component called haemocyanin, which is coupled with copper ions to give it its distinct blue color.
Haemocyanin, found in many arthropods and some mollusks, is an oxygen-carrying pigment that differs from the widely-known haemoglobin found in vertebrates. Unlike haemoglobin, which binds oxygen to iron ions, haemocyanin binds oxygen to copper ions. When the haemocyanin molecule binds oxygen, it becomes oxyhaemacyanin.
Oxyhaemacyanin plays a vital role in the respiratory process of these marine invertebrates. Oxygen molecules from the surrounding environment diffuse through the animal's gills or respiratory surfaces and bind to the copper ions on oxyhaemacyanin. The oxygen is then transported directly to the cells throughout the organism's body, providing the necessary oxygenation for metabolic processes.
The blue color of oxyhaemacyanin arises due to the interaction between the copper ions and the protein structure of haemocyanin. The exact shade of blue can vary between species but is generally attributed to the strong absorption of longer wavelengths of light by the copper ions.
In summary, oxyhaemacyanin is a pigment found in marine invertebrates, enabling them to transport oxygen. It is composed of haemocyanin and copper ions, binding oxygen molecules for delivery to cells. Its distinctive blue color results from the interaction between these components.
Common Misspellings for OXYHAEMACYANIN
- ixyhaemacyanin
- kxyhaemacyanin
- lxyhaemacyanin
- pxyhaemacyanin
- 0xyhaemacyanin
- 9xyhaemacyanin
- ozyhaemacyanin
- ocyhaemacyanin
- odyhaemacyanin
- osyhaemacyanin
- oxthaemacyanin
- oxghaemacyanin
- oxhhaemacyanin
- oxuhaemacyanin
- ox7haemacyanin
- ox6haemacyanin
- oxygaemacyanin
- oxybaemacyanin
- oxynaemacyanin
- oxyjaemacyanin
Etymology of OXYHAEMACYANIN
The word "Oxyhaemacyanin" is derived from the combination of three different roots: "Oxy", "haema", and "cyanin".
1. "Oxy-" comes from the Greek word "oxys", meaning "acid", "sharp", or "oxygenated". It is commonly used as a prefix in scientific terminology to indicate the presence of oxygen or an oxidizing agent.
2. "Haema" is derived from the Greek word "haima", which means "blood". This root is often used in biological and medical terms related to blood or blood cells.
3. "Cyanin" is derived from the color cyan, which is a shade of blue-green. The term "cyanin" is used to describe pigments or compounds that have a blue or green color.
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