Hemoglobin

Definition

Hemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells that binds to oxygen in the lungs and carries it to tissues throughout the body, where it releases the oxygen for cell use. It also assists in transporting carbon dioxide from tissues back to the lungs for exhalation.

Related terms

Red Blood Cells: Flexible, biconcave cells that carry oxygen and carbon dioxide throughout the body.

Oxygen Saturation: A measure of how much oxygen is bound to hemoglobin in the blood, indicating how effectively oxygen is being transported.

Carbon Dioxide Transport: The process by which carbon dioxide is carried from body tissue cells back to the lungs for exhalation