Haemoglobin

noun (mass/uncountable; chiefly British spelling — US: hemoglobin)

/ˌhiːməˈɡloʊbɪn/

The iron-containing oxygen-transport protein in red blood cells that binds oxygen in the lungs and releases it to tissues throughout the body, giving blood its red colour.

✍️ Usage in a UPSC answer

India's persistently high burden of anaemia, reflected in dangerously low haemoglobin levels among adolescent girls and pregnant women, underscores why nutritional security must be treated as a core developmental imperative rather than a peripheral health concern.

Synonyms

Hbblood pigmentrespiratory pigmentoxygen-carriererythrocyte protein

🌱 Word Family

haemoglobinous (adj), haemoglobinopathy (n), haemoglobin (n), haemic (adj), haematology (n)

🔡 Root

Greek haima = blood; Latin globulus = little ball (globulin protein); coined hæmatoglobin 1845

📜 Etymology

From Greek haima ("blood") + Latin globulus ("little ball," referring to the globulin protein); coined as hæmatoglobin in 1845, shortened to hæmoglobin by 1862.

🧠 Memory Hook

Haemo- = "blood" (as in haemorrhage), -globin = a "globe/ball" of protein: picture a tiny red globe of protein ferrying oxygen through your blood.

📝 Seen in UPSC Question Papers

Prelims 2020 — Biology

Real UPSC previous-year questions whose text uses “Haemoglobin” — proof this word earns its place on your list.

⚗️ General Science 📖 Seen in: Human Body Systems — Organ Systems, Ph...

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