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Chapter-16 Heme Metabolism and Hemoglobins

BOOK TITLE: Self Assessment and Review of Biochemistry

Author
1. Perumcheril Rebecca James
ISBN
9789386322401
DOI
10.5005/jp/books/14226_17
Edition
3/e
Publishing Year
2018
Pages
20
Author Affiliations
1. Government Medical College, Calicut, Kerala, India, Government Medical College, Kozhikode, Kerala, India
Chapter keywords
Heme metabolism, hemoglobin, heme synthesis, porphyria, heme catabolism, hyperbilirubinemia, abnormal hemoglobin, metalloporphyrin, jaundice, bilirubin

Abstract

The aim of this chapter is to focus on the heme metabolism and hemoglobins. The structure of heme, heme synthesis, porphyrias, heme catabolism, hyperbilirubinemias, and abnormal hemoglobins are covered in this chapter. Heme is a metalloporphyrin. The porphyrias are a group of disorders due to abnormalities in the pathway of biosynthesis of heme. They can be genetic or acquired. Hyperbilirubinemia is a condition in which there is too much bilirubin in the blood. When red blood cells break down, a substance called bilirubin is formed. Babies are not easily able to get rid of the bilirubin and it can build up in the blood and other tissues and fluids of the baby\'s body. This is called hyperbilirubinemia. Because bilirubin has a pigment or coloring, it causes a yellowing of the baby\'s skin, eyes, and other tissues. This is called jaundice. At the end of the chapter, there are 15 multiple choice questions are also given along with their explanatory answers.

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