heme

noun

ˈhēm 

: the deep red iron-containing prosthetic group C₃₄H₃₂N₄O₄Fe of hemoglobin and myoglobin

Examples of heme in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Red Meats Some compounds and heme iron in red meat are believed to promote the growth of cancerous tumors. —Cathy Nelson, Verywell Health, 16 July 2024

Red meat is one of the best sources of heme iron, meaning drinking coffee with your steak could decrease its health benefits. —Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Rdn, Ld, Health, 1 July 2024

Meat gets its characteristic flavor, texture and hue from an iron-rich molecule called heme, which is already present in fungi at low levels. —Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 14 May 2024

Seafood like oysters and clams are rich in both heme and non-heme forms of dietary iron that support hair growth. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 7 Aug. 2023

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary, from hematin

First Known Use

1925, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

heme

noun

ˈhēm 

: a deep red pigment that contains iron and is obtained from hemoglobin

Medical Definition

heme

noun

variants or chiefly British haem

ˈhēm 

: the deep red iron-containing prosthetic group C₃₄H₃₂N₄O₄Fe of hemoglobin and myoglobin that is a ferrous derivative of protoporphyrin and readily oxidizes to hematin or hemin

called also protoheme