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hemocyanin

American  
[hee-muh-sahy-uh-nin, hem-uh-] / ˌhi məˈsaɪ ə nɪn, ˌhɛm ə- /

noun

Biochemistry.
  1. a blue, copper-containing respiratory pigment in the plasma of many invertebrates.


Etymology

Origin of hemocyanin

First recorded in 1835–45; hemo- + cyan- 1 + -in 2

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Their blood gets that blue-green tint from hemocyanin, which they use instead of hemoglobin to carry oxygen.

From New York Times • Jul. 9, 2021

This approach works because hemocyanin, hemerythrin and the other pigments are big, frequently polymerized molecules that keep their oxygen-binding metal atoms tucked away from casual interactions.

From Scientific American • May 6, 2019

Insects, crustaceans and other arthropods use hemocyanin, a bluish copper-based pigment.

From Scientific American • May 6, 2019

From octopus blood he extracted hemocyanin, a protein that picks up copper because its molecule has a structure that a copper ion fits into neatly, like a key into a lock.

From Time Magazine Archive

It seems odd to us—but those people evidently have their blood based on hemocyanin.

From The Black Star Passes by Campbell, John Wood

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