Hemoglobin

Definition

Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues and returns carbon dioxide from the tissues back to the lungs.

Related terms

Iron:

This is an essential mineral that forms part of hemoglobin, helping it carry oxygen.

Red Blood Cells: These are cells in our blood that contain hemoglobin. They transport oxygen around our bodies.

Protein:

A large molecule composed of one or more chains of amino acids. Hemoglobin is an example of a protein.