Bilirubin

The structure of Bilirubin Bilirubin is a yellow breakdown product of normal heme catabolism. Its levels are elevated in certain diseases and it is responsible for the yellow color of bruises. Physiology and metabolism Bilirubin is formed when red blood cells die and their hemoglobin is broken down within the macrophages to heme and globins. The heme is further degraded to Fe2+, carbon monoxide and bilirubin via the intermediate compound biliverdin. Since bilirubin is poorly ...