Tetrapyrroles
| Definition: |
Four PYRROLES joined by one-carbon units linking position 2 of one to position 5 of the next. The conjugated bond system results in PIGMENTATION. |
| Previously Indexed: |
Pyrroles (1966-2003) |
Tetrapyrroles Categories.
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Bile Pigments - Linear TETRAPYRROLES that give a characteristic color to BILE including: BILIRUBIN; BILIVERDIN; and bilicyanin. |
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Chlorophyll - Porphyrin derivatives containing magnesium that act to convert light energy in photosynthetic organisms. |
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Corrinoids - Cyclic TETRAPYRROLES based on the corrin skeleton. |
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Porphyrins - A group of compounds containing the porphin structure, four pyrrole rings connected by methine bridges in a cyclic configuration to which a variety of side chains are attached. The nature of the side chain is indicated by a prefix, as uroporphyrin, hematoporphyrin, etc. The porphyrins, in combination with iron, form the heme component in biologically significant compounds such as hemoglobin and myoglobin. |
Tetrapyrroles Definitions and Terms
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