Chapter 26.7, Problem 3QQ

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: To identify the product produced in the second step of the degradation process of heme.

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:

Red blood cells are formed in the bone marrow. The primary site for a breakdown of red blood cells is spleen and the secondary site is liver. Breakdown of red blood cells involves the degradation of hemoglobin. The protein part (globin) of the hemoglobin is hydrolyzed to an amino acid, an iron atom of the heme is converted to ferritin which is an iron storage protein and the remaining tetrapyrrole carbon arrangement upon degradation forms bile pigments.