Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
protoheme

protoheme

9.9
A red part of blood with iron that helps carry oxygen
  • noun
  • /ˈproʊtoʊhiːm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : protoheme
  • The structure of protoheme allows it to actively participate in oxygen transport within red blood cells.

Examples

  • Research shows that protoheme is essential for hemoglobin function.

  • A deficiency in protoheme can lead to disorders affecting the body's ability to carry oxygen.

  • Researchers studied the properties of protoheme to better understand its role in metabolic processes.

  • The protoheme molecule plays a crucial role in oxygen transport.

  • A deficiency in protoheme can lead to disorders affecting the body's ability to carry oxygen.

  • Researchers studied the properties of protoheme to better understand its role in binding oxygen in hemoglobin.

  • The structure of protoheme is designed to effectively bind oxygen, enabling its transport in the bloodstream.

Synonyms

heme
vsprotoheme
  • Specialized
2 8.2

Small red part of blood that contains iron and carries oxygen

is broader and present in other biological molecules
hematin
vsprotoheme
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A red substance containing iron made from a blood protein that helps carry oxygen in blood

is the native pigment that binds oxygen within proteins
haem
vsprotoheme
  • UK
9.8

A red part of a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen

is defined by binding oxygen within those proteins
haemitin
vsprotoheme
  • UK
9.9

A red substance in blood with iron that helps carry oxygen

is used more generally for the same pigment across proteins

Surface Forms

protoheme singular
protohemes plural

Morphology

protoheme = heme (opaque) = proto + heme

Although the word is formally built from 'proto-' + 'heme', the prefix does not transparently contribute a regular modern-English meaning for most learners.

Etymology

Protoheme comes from two parts: proto- meaning 'first' and heme meaning 'blood', as you see in hemoglobin. So protoheme is a handy name for the basic iron 'blood' pigment that helps red blood cells carry oxygen.