Difference between Haemoglobin and Hemoglobin

Key Difference: The main difference between haemoglobin and hemoglobin is that there is no difference. Hemoglobin, also known as Haemoglobin is a protein that is present in the red blood cell. It contains iron and is what actually gives the red blood cell its red color. Its main function is the transportation of oxygen to the cells.

The main difference between haemoglobin and hemoglobin is that there is no difference. They are both variations of name given to the same thing. Hemoglobin, also known as Haemoglobin is a protein that is present in the red blood cell. It contains iron and is what actually gives the red blood cell its red color. The red blood cell in turn is what gives blood its red color. Hence, haemoglobin is directly responsible for blood’s red color.

The hemoglobin consisting red cell, the white blood cell and the platelets, all of which are suspended in plasma are what make up the blood. The main function of the red cell blood cell is the transportation of nutrients and oxygen to the cells and the removal of waste products and carbon dioxide; a process of which the hemoglobin is an intricate part of. The white blood cell helps fight off infections and heal the body. The platelets help the blood to clot. The plasma helps in the transportation of these cells, as well as the transportation of various dissolved proteins, glucose, clotting factors, antibodies, mineral ions, hormones and carbon dioxide. In addition to this, blood also helps regulate temperature, pH balance, and water balance.

The name haemoglobin or hemoglobin comes from the fact that this protein consists of haem and the protein globin. Each molecule of hemoglobin is made up of four heme molecules, each of which is surrounded by a globin chain, for a total of four globin chains in the molecule. Each of the four iron atoms go into the center of each of the four heme molecules.

The primary function of haemoglobin is so carry and transport oxygen from the lungs to the cells of the body. The oxygen molecule gets picked up by the heme in the haemoglobin, which combines reversibly with it. The haemoglobin then travels from the lungs to various parts of the body, when it reaches a cell it releases the oxygen and then picks up the carbon dioxide to be released into the lungs. Haemoglobin also carries the regulatory molecule nitric oxide to the cells and releases it at the same time as the oxygen.

As transportation of oxygen is one of the main tasks of blood, haemoglobin is a very important aspect of the red blood cells. In fact, haemoglobin actually makes about 96% of the weight of the red blood cells' dry content and about 35% of the whole red blood cell including water. There are millions of haemoglobin molecules present in each red blood cell, and there are millions of red blood cells present in the blood.

There are many people out there that suffer from low hemoglobin. There are various causes for low hemoglobin such as iron deficiency, vitamin C deficiency, or folic acid deficiency. Low hemoglobin is a serious condition because hemoglobin is directly responsible for the transportation of oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the cells in the body.

Comparison between Haemoglobin and Hemoglobin:

 

Haemoglobin / Haemoglobin

Description

Haemoglobin or hemoglobin is an iron containing protein in the red blood cell that helps carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the cells in the body.

Part of

Red blood cell, which is part of the Blood, which is part of the circulatory system

Made up of

  • 4 heme molecules
  • 4 globin chains
  • 4 iron atoms

Color

Red, due to presence of iron. Is what gives the red blood cells, hence the blood its color.

Function

  • Transportation of oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the cells in the body.
  • Helps in carrying the carbon dioxide back to the lungs
  • Carries the regulatory molecule nitric oxide to the cells at the same time as the oxygen.

Image Courtesy: doctor.ndtv.com, ib.berkeley.edu

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