Stercobilin,a brown pigment that gives feces its characteristic color,and urobilin,a yellow pigment that gives urine its color,are both breakdown products of which of the following components of blood?

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Stercobilin and urobilin are breakdown products of heme, which is a component of the protein hemoglobin found in red blood cells. When red blood cells are broken down, heme is converted into biliverdin, which is further broken down into bilirubin. Bilirubin is then converted in the liver into urobilinogen, a colorless compound that is excreted in the urine or feces. In the large intestine, urobilinogen is further converted into stercobilin, which gives feces its characteristic color.

Stercobilin,a Brown Pigment That Gives Feces Its Characteristic Color,and Urobilin,a