A complex red organic pigment containing iron and other atoms to which oxygen binds.haem

1. (Science: biochemistry) compounds of iron complexed in a porphyrin (tetrapyrrole) ring that differ in side chain composition. Haems are the prosthetic groups of cytochromes and are found in most oxygen carrier proteins.

2. (Science: prefix) haem-, eaning relating to blood.

Origin: g. Haima a ring like structure found in haemoglobin giving it its characteristic red colour.

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