Chlorocruorin

/ˌklɔːroʊˈkruːərɪn/ noun

Definition

A green oxygen-carrying protein found in certain marine worms and other invertebrates, similar to hemoglobin but containing chlorine-related pigments.

Etymology

From chloro- (green) + cruorin (blood-related, from Latin cruor meaning gore/blood). Named for its color and blood-like oxygen-carrying function.

Kelly Says

Chlorocruorin is evolution's alternative to hemoglobin—some marine worms use this green protein instead of the red hemoglobin we have—proving that life found multiple creative solutions to the same problem of carrying oxygen!

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