heme

Meanings

Plural: hemes

Noun

a complex red organic pigment containing iron and other atoms to which oxygen binds
The component of hemoglobin (and other hemoproteins) responsible for binding oxygen. It consists of an iron ion that binds oxygen and a porphyrin ring that binds the globin molecules; one molecule binds one molecule of oxygen.

Origin / Etymology

Back-formation from hemoglobin.

Synonyms

haem, haemitin, hematin, protoheme

Scrabble Score: 9

heme is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
heme is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
heme is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 9

heme is a valid Words With Friends word