what does myoglobin do

Myoglobin is a protein primarily found in the heart and skeletal muscles of vertebrates. Its main function is to bind and store oxygen within muscle cells, allowing muscles to have a readily available supply of oxygen when needed, especially during muscle activity. It facilitates the diffusion of oxygen from the bloodstream to the mitochondria in muscle cells to meet energy demands and acts as an oxygen reserve or buffer in the muscles. Additionally, myoglobin helps break down nitric oxide, which enhances mitochondrial respiration, and it plays a role in detoxifying reactive oxygen species. In muscle tissue, myoglobin's oxygen binding gives the muscle its red color. When muscle damage occurs, myoglobin is released into the bloodstream and can be used as an early marker of muscle injury or heart attack.