1. The heme of hemoglobin releases the iron. The heme then converted into biliverdin, which is converted into bilirubin.
2. Conjugated bilirubin is excreted as is then part of the bile into the small intestine. Bacteria of the intestine break down the bilirubin.
3. Some bilirubin derivatives converted into which is contribute to the color of feces.
4. Other biliurbin derivatives are reabsorbed from the intestine into the blood. These derivatives are excreted from the kidneys and contribute to the color of urine.
5. The globin chains of hemoglobin are broken down to individual amino acids and are metabolized or used to build new proteins.
6. Blood transports free bilirubin to the liver.
7. Blood transports iron in combination with transferrin to various tissues for storage or to the red bone marrow where it is used in the production of new hemoglobin.
8. Hemoglobin is broken down by macrophages into heme and globin chains.
