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.
Dictionary > Haem
