British Sign Language Glossaries of Curriculum Terms

BSL Environmental Science Glossary - Oxyhaemoglobin definition

Definition: Red blood cells (recognisable to many because of their concave shape) contain a special protein called Haemoglobin. Its function is to carry oxygen molecules in the bloodstream. When this protein isn't carrying oxygen molecules, it is haemoglobin, but when it is carrying oxygen molecules, it is called a different name - oxyhaemoglobin. What happens is that when we breathe in, air passes into the bronchial tubes and down into the bronchioles. Blood circulates by the surface of the alveoli, where the haemoglobin in the red blood cells picks up oxygen molecules – it is at this point called oxyhaemoglobin. From here, the red blood cells are pumped towards the heart through the body. As the blood moves around the body, the oxyhaemoglobin gives up its oxygen molecule and reverts to being haemoglobin. This is then circulated back to the lungs, where it picks up more oxygen molecules - this cycle continually repeats itself.