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hemoglobin

hemoglobin

17 4.5
A red substance in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the body
  • noun
  • /ˌhɛməˈɡloʊbɪn/
  • Specialized
translation icon : hemoglobina
  • Hemoglobin levels are normal.
  • hemoglobin concentration
  • hemoglobin level
  • preoperative hemoglobin

The magnetic properties of the hemoglobin molecule change depending on the amount of oxygen bound to it.

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Examples

  • Preoperative hemoglobin was defined as the last hemoglobin measurement before surgery.

    Academic text (1999)
  • Second, nearly half the patients did not have a postoperative hemoglobin level recorded.

    Academic text (1999)
  • Your hemoglobin level is a bit low.

  • The magnetic properties of the hemoglobin molecule change depending on the amount of oxygen bound to it.

  • So that hemoglobin, if it is exposed to a lot of sugar, then becomes chemically bound to the sugar.

  • Although supplementation with vitamin A increases hemoglobin in children, little attention has been paid to pregnant women.

    Academic text (1994)
  • Fetal hemoglobin has a greater affinity for oxygen than adult hemoglobin does.

    Academic text (2013)
  • Transfusions were recommended at a hemoglobin concentration below 10 g/dL based on the measured blood loss.

    Academic text (1994)
  • Preoperative anemia was uncommon; only 11% of the patients had a hemoglobin less than 10 g/dL.

    Academic text (1999)
  • A low hemoglobin count can lead to symptoms like fatigue and weakness.

Synonyms

Hb
vshemoglobin
  • Specialized
6 5.3

A protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the body

is the full non-abbreviated name used in formal or scientific contexts
oxyhemoglobin
vshemoglobin
  • Specialized
7.0

A bright red part of blood that carries oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues

is the general oxygen-carrying protein rather than only the oxygen-bound form

Surface Forms

hemoglobin singular
hemoglobins plural
haemoglobins plural
haemoglobin singular

Morphology

hemoglobin = globin (semi-transparent) = hemo + globin

The structure is formally hemo- (blood) + globin (a protein), so the literal composition is clear to those with some scientific knowledge, but both components are technical and not fully transparent to an average B1 learner.

Etymology

Hemoglobin comes from the parts haemo- 'blood' and globin from 'globule' 'small round thing', like a 'globe'. So, hemoglobin is the round protein in blood that carries oxygen to the rest of the body.