BILIRUBIN

noun

13 Scrabble

18 WWF

B 3

I 1

L 1

I 1

R 1

U 1

B 3

I 1

N 1

Definition

A bile pigment that is a product of the breakdown of the heme portion of hemoglobin (which occurs within macrophages as they digest red blood cells), and which is responsible for the yellowish color seen in bruises. Extremely high levels of bilirubin may cause jaundice.