2) Diagram the breakdown of hemoglobin in the space provided below.

Answer

The breakdown of hemoglobin is an essential physiological process that occurs primarily in the spleen, liver, and bone marrow when old red blood cells are recycled. 1. Initial Breakdown: Hemoglobin is split into two main components: Globin (the protein part) and Heme (the iron-containing pigment). 2. Globin Pathway: The globin chains are further broken down into individual amino acids. These amino acids are released into the bloodstream and used for 'build more proteins' in the body. 3. Heme Pathway: The heme group is further divided into Iron and Biliverdin. 4. Iron Fate: The iron is recycled; it can be for 'Storage in liver as ferritin' or 'used for hemoglobin production in bone marrow'. 5. Pigment Fate: Biliverdin, a green pigment, is converted into 'bilirubin', a yellow pigment. Bilirubin is then 'added to the bile by the liver' and enters the 'ducts headed to small intestine' for excretion.