A breakdown product of hemoglobin that contains porphyrin rings; a compound found in blood and used in medical research.
From Greek 'haima' (blood) + 'porphyra' (purple). This compound was identified in the 19th century as scientists began understanding hemoglobin's chemical structure.
Hematoporphyrin is used in photodynamic cancer therapy—doctors inject it into patients, and when illuminated with specific light, it generates reactive molecules that destroy cancer cells!
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