Chapter 26, Problem 26.99EP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

To determine the chemical condition responsible for jaundice.

Concept introduction:

Hemoglobin is a heme protein present in the red blood cells. The protein part is called globin and the non-protein part is heme. Heme is the prosthetic group that contains 4 pyrrole groups bonded together and has an iron atom in the center. The structure of the heme group is:

Bilirubin is the second step degradation product of heme portion of hemoglobin. It is reddish orange in color and is a tetrapyrrolic bile pigment. The structure of bilirubin is: