Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun The deep red, nonprotein, ferrous component of hemoglobin, C34H32FeN4O4.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun The component of hemoglobin (and other hemoproteins) responsible for binding oxygen, consists of an iron ion that binds oxygen and a porphyrin ring that binds the globin molecules; one molecule binds one molecule of oxygen.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun a complex red organic pigment containing iron and other atoms to which oxygen binds

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Short for hematin.]

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Examples

  • They put a smaller structure inside it called a heme, a large flat molecule that is the active part of hemoglobin.

    Technology Review RSS Feeds 2009

  • This anti-inflammatory signaling agent upregulates the expression of a gene that encodes for a cell-protective substance called heme oxygenase 1 HO-1.

    Forever Young M.D. Nicholas Perricone 2010

  • The sphere in the center of the heme is an iron atom.

    The Edge of Evolution Michael J. Behe 2007

  • The sphere in the center of the heme is an iron atom.

    The Edge of Evolution Michael J. Behe 2007

  • The sphere in the center of the heme is an iron atom.

    The Edge of Evolution Michael J. Behe 2007

  • The sphere in the center of the heme is an iron atom.

    The Edge of Evolution Michael J. Behe 2007

  • Red meat in general also has high levels of a type of iron called heme that, when consumed in high amounts, can increase oxidative stress and lead to chronic inflammation, which can also affect insulin production.

    NYT > Home Page By ANAHAD O'CONNOR 2011

  • Red meat in general also has high levels of a type of iron called heme that, when consumed in high amounts, can increase oxidative stress and lead to chronic inflammation, which can also affect insulin production.

    NYT > Home Page By ANAHAD O'CONNOR 2011

  • During sepsis, red blood cells can become injured and leak an iron-based substance called heme that's normally part of the hemoglobin that carries oxygen.

    USATODAY.com Weather News 2010

  • Meat-derived iron, known as heme iron, is more easily absorbed by the body.

    CNN.com 2010

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