hemocyanin

noun
he·​mo·​cy·​a·​nin | \ ˌhē-mō-ˈsī-ə-nən How to pronounce hemocyanin (audio) \

Definition of hemocyanin

: a copper-containing respiratory pigment in the circulatory fluid of various arthropods and mollusks

Examples of hemocyanin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Their equivalent to blood is hemolymph, a mostly clear fluid that contains small amounts of hemocyanin. Quanta Magazine, "Icefish Study Adds Another Color to the Story of Blood," 22 Apr. 2019 Consider hemocyanin, which is so widely used among invertebrates. Quanta Magazine, "Icefish Study Adds Another Color to the Story of Blood," 22 Apr. 2019 The scientists discovered that gribbles use hemocyanins to attack the strong bonds of lignin. David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "The Gribble Worm Could Hold Secrets for Cheaper Renewable Energy," 5 Dec. 2018 Octopuses, lobsters and horseshoe crabs use hemocyanin, which means blue blood. Laura Yan, Popular Mechanics, "Green-Blooded Lizards Live With a Pigment That Should Kill Them," 20 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hemocyanin.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of hemocyanin

1885, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for hemocyanin

International Scientific Vocabulary hem- + cyan- + -in entry 1

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More Definitions for hemocyanin

hemocyanin

noun
he·​mo·​cy·​a·​nin
variants: or chiefly British haemocyanin \ ˌhē-​mō-​ˈsī-​ə-​nən How to pronounce haemocyanin (audio) \

Medical Definition of hemocyanin

: a colorless copper-containing respiratory pigment in solution in the blood plasma of various arthropods and mollusks