Leghemoglobin

Do you know how we humans have blood running through our veins? Plants also have a type of blood that helps them survive, and it's called "hemoglobin." But plants have a special helper called "leghemoglobin" that only lives in the roots of certain plants, like beans and peas.

You see, the roots of these plants have a special kind of bacteria that helps the plant take in something called "nitrogen." Nitrogen is like food for the plant, but it's really hard to get. So the bacteria and the plant have a special relationship where the bacteria give the plant nitrogen and the plant gives the bacteria a place to live.

But the problem is that nitrogen isn't very healthy for the plant in its raw form. It has to be changed into something called "ammonia" before the plant can use it. This is where leghemoglobin comes in.

Leghemoglobin helps the plant turn nitrogen into ammonia by providing a safe place for the chemical reaction to happen. It's like a special glove that protects the plant from the harmful effects of nitrogen while the plant is turning it into ammonia.

And that's how leghemoglobin helps certain plants get the food they need to survive!