Hemoglobin Protein

Definition

Hemoglobin is an iron-containing protein found in red blood cells that binds oxygen molecules for transport around our bodies.

Analogy

Think of hemoglobin as a fleet of delivery trucks (red blood cells) carrying precious cargo (oxygen). Just like how trucks transport goods from warehouses (lungs) to stores (body tissues), hemoglobin transports oxygen from our lungs to various parts of our bodies.

Related terms

Oxygen Transport: The process by which oxygen is carried from our lungs via our bloodstream to all parts of our bodies. Hemoglobin plays a crucial role here as it binds with oxygen for this transportation purpose.

Iron: A mineral that is crucial in the formation of hemoglobin. Without enough iron, your body can't produce enough hemoglobin for red blood cells.

Erythrocytes: Also known as red blood cells, these are the cells that contain hemoglobin and transport oxygen and carbon dioxide to and from our tissues.