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porphyrin
[ pawr-fuh-rin ]
noun
, Biochemistry.
- a dark red, photosensitive pigment consisting of four pyrrole rings linked by single carbon atoms: a component of chlorophyll, heme, and vitamin B 1 2 .
porphyrin
/ ˈpɔːfɪrɪn /
noun
- any of a group of pigments occurring widely in animal and plant tissues and having a heterocyclic structure formed from four pyrrole rings linked by four methylene groups
porphyrin
/ pôr′fə-rĭn /
- Any of various organic pigments containing four pyrrole rings bonded to one another. The rings form the corners of a large flat square, in the middle of which is a cavity that often contains a metal atom. Porphyrins occur universally in protoplasm and function with bound metals such as iron in hemoglobin and magnesium in chlorophyll.
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Word History and Origins
Origin of porphyrin1
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Word History and Origins
Origin of porphyrin1
C20: from Greek porphura purple, referring to its colour
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