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Heme is a deep red, iron-containing compound that is a crucial part of hemoglobin and myoglobin. Hemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells that is responsible for transporting oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues. Each hemoglobin molecule is composed of four heme groups surrounding a globin group. The iron atom within the heme group is what binds to oxygen. When red blood cells die, hemoglobin is broken down, and the iron is recycled for the production of new red blood cells. Disorders affecting hemoglobin, such as sickle cell anemia and thalassemia, can lead to various blood diseases.1234

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