porphyrin

por·phy·rin  (pôrf-rn)

n.

Any of various organic compounds containing four pyrrole rings, occurring universally in protoplasm, and functioning as a metal-binding cofactor in hemoglobin, chlorophyll, and certain enzymes.

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[Greek porphur, shellfish yielding purple dye, purple + -in.]

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porphyrin  (pôrf-rn)

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.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

porphyrin - any of various pigments distributed widely in living tissues pigment - dry coloring material (especially a powder to be mixed with a liquid to produce paint, etc.)