Need help clarifying hemoglobin breakdown pathway

[IceDuchess]

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Hello everyone,

I would appreciate some help clarifying the hemoglobin breakdown pathway.

Board and Beyond says that its: hemoglobin -> globin + heme -> biliverdin + iron ... the biliverdin becomes unconjugated bilirubin while the iron is recycled.

Pathoma says: hemoglobin -> globin + heme -> protoporphyrin + iron... the protoporphyrin becomes unconjugated bilirubin while the iron is recycled.

Why does one say biliverdin while the other says protoporphyrin? Or are they both correct but just missing some steps?

Thanks in advance!

 

[FalconSlice]

Hello everyone,

I would appreciate some help clarifying the hemoglobin breakdown pathway.

Board and Beyond says that its: hemoglobin -> globin + heme -> biliverdin + iron ... the biliverdin becomes unconjugated bilirubin while the iron is recycled.

Pathoma says: hemoglobin -> globin + heme -> protoporphyrin + iron... the protoporphyrin becomes unconjugated bilirubin while the iron is recycled.

Why does one say biliverdin while the other says protoporphyrin? Or are they both correct but just missing some steps?

Thanks in advance!

It becomes biliverdin. Protoporphyrin is a modified porphyrin compound used as a precursor in bilirubin synthesis.

If you're asking questions like this (such that it requires organic chemistry knowledge to answer), you have mastered what medical school stuff you need to know lol

 

[IceDuchess]

It becomes biliverdin. Protoporphyrin is a modified porphyrin compound used as a precursor in bilirubin synthesis.

If you're asking questions like this (such that it requires organic chemistry knowledge to answer), you have mastered what medical school stuff you need to know lol

Thank you for clarifying! I'm mainly asking because my Anking cards contradict each other and it was really throwing me off. Also, thank you for the reassurance. 🙂