noun
- An iron-containing protein found in the blood of certain marine invertebrates that functions similarly to hemoglobin in transporting oxygen.
Usage: technical; biology; biochemistry
Examples
- Hemerythrin is the oxygen-carrying protein in many marine worms and mollusks.
- Unlike hemoglobin, hemerythrin contains iron atoms that bind oxygen molecules.
- Scientists study hemerythrin to understand alternative respiratory proteins in invertebrates.
- The structure of hemerythrin differs significantly from that of hemoglobin and myoglobin.