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porphyrins
Organic compounds of great biological importance which are found in a variety of pigments, including hemoglobin, chlorophyll a and b, the cytochromes (concerned with respiration in cells), and the enzymes catalase and peroxidase. Porphyrins are variations on the basic structure of porphin. A variety of side groups can be attached at 8 different locations around the molecule and a complex can be formed with a centrally located, heavy metal atom. In hemoglobin this metal is iron, while in chlorophyll it is magnesium.
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• BIOCHEMISTRY
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