OXYHAEMOCYANIN Meaning and
Definition
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Oxyhaemocyanin is a noun referring to a respiratory protein found in many mollusks and arthropods, particularly in the form of blue or greenish-blue hemolymph. It serves a similar function to the more common respiratory protein, haemoglobin, found in vertebrates. Oxyhaemocyanin is responsible for transporting oxygen within the circulatory system of these invertebrates.
The name "oxyhaemocyanin" is derived from the combination of "oxy-" for oxygen and "haemocyanin," which refers to the blue color of the protein when oxygenated. The protein contains copper ions, which bind to oxygen molecules and give it an overall blue coloration.
In the absence of oxygen, haemocyanin is deoxygenated, making it lose its blue hue and turn colorless or gray. This protein variation is typically found in various species, including some crustaceans, spiders, and certain snails.
Unlike the iron-containing haemoglobin found in vertebrates, oxyhaemocyanin uses molecular copper to facilitate oxygen transportation, making it less efficient at carrying oxygen. However, the copper-containing protein has a higher oxygen affinity in comparison to haemoglobin, allowing these invertebrates to extract oxygen from environments with low oxygen levels, such as cold waters.
The distinctive blue coloration of oxyhaemocyanin plays an essential role in distinguishing between deoxygenated and oxygenated states and has been a subject of interest in understanding the possible evolutionary connections between hemocyanin and the more common red-colored haemoglobin.
Common Misspellings for OXYHAEMOCYANIN
- ixyhaemocyanin
- kxyhaemocyanin
- lxyhaemocyanin
- pxyhaemocyanin
- 0xyhaemocyanin
- 9xyhaemocyanin
- ozyhaemocyanin
- ocyhaemocyanin
- odyhaemocyanin
- osyhaemocyanin
- oxthaemocyanin
- oxghaemocyanin
- oxhhaemocyanin
- oxuhaemocyanin
- ox7haemocyanin
- ox6haemocyanin
- oxygaemocyanin
- oxybaemocyanin
- oxynaemocyanin
- oxyjaemocyanin
Etymology of OXYHAEMOCYANIN
The word "oxyhaemocyanin" is derived from combining several parts, with each part contributing to its overall meaning:
1. Oxy-: From the Greek word "oxus", meaning "sharp" or "acid". In scientific terminology, it refers to a compound that is combined with oxygen or contains oxygen.
2. Haemo-: From the Greek word "haima", meaning "blood". It is a combining form used in scientific terms referring to blood or red blood cells.
3. Cyanin: From the Greek word "kyanós", meaning "dark blue". It is a suffix used in scientific terms denoting a complex molecule or pigment with a blue color.
