myoglobin

noun

myo·​glo·​bin ˌmī-ə-ˈglō-bən 

ˈmī-ə-ˌglō

: a red iron-containing protein pigment in muscles that is similar to hemoglobin

Examples of myoglobin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As Goldwyn discovered in his deep dive on the topic, meat with a higher pH, or low acidity, can retain a pink hue from the myoglobin to much higher temps, up to 170 or 180 degrees. —Becky Krystal, Washington Post, 31 July 2023

No myoglobin means that these muscles stay colorless or white. —Elsbeth Sites, Discover Magazine, 22 Apr. 2014

While the presence of myoglobin isn’t necessarily cause for worry, too much of it can lead to kidney damage. —Nathaniel Scharping, Discover Magazine, 29 Mar. 2017

Meat is categorized as red or white depending on its myoglobin content. —Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 8 Nov. 2022

By shining light through your skin and measuring what’s reflected, NIRS can assess what percentage of hemoglobin and myoglobin molecules in the muscle and tissue underneath are carrying oxygen. —Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 18 July 2022

In fact, research tells us that the best way to develop myoglobin is through high-intensity running (above 80 percent VO2max). —Luke Humphrey, Outside Online, 13 Nov. 2020

Cellular damage post-marathon is best measured by the presence and production of creatinine kinase (CK)—a marker that indicates damage to skeletal and myocardial tissue — and increased myoglobin levels in the blood stream. —Jeff Gaudette, Outside Online, 22 Nov. 2019

One study concluded that CK damage persisted more than seven days post-marathon while another study discovered the presence of myoglobin in the bloodstream for 3-4 days post race. —Jeff Gaudette, Outside Online, 22 Nov. 2019

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1925, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

myoglobin

noun

myo·​glo·​bin ˌmī-ə-ˈglō-bən, ˈmī-ə-ˌ 

: a red iron-containing protein pigment in muscles that is similar to hemoglobin but differs in the globin portion of its molecule, in the smaller size of its molecule (as in the mammalian heart muscle which has only one fourth the molecular weight of the hemoglobin in the blood of the same animal), in its greater tendency to combine with oxygen, and in its absorption of light at longer wavelengths

called also myohemoglobin