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Heme iron (meat-derived) is readily absorbed and enters the duodenal cell via the heme transporter. What is the name of the heme transporter?

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Final answer:

The specific name of the heme transporter involved in heme iron absorption from meat sources is not provided, but absorption involves the transport protein ferroportin and the binding of iron to ferritin within mucosal cells.

Step-by-step explanation:

The name of the heme transporter responsible for the absorption of heme iron, which is derived from animal sources like meat, poultry, and fish, is not explicitly mentioned. However, we understand that heme iron is absorbed more efficiently than non-heme iron from plant sources. Heme iron absorption occurs in the duodenum where it enters the mucosal cells without being released from the porphyrin ring and is subsequently broken down to release iron into the plasma as transferrin. Additionally, the intestinal absorption of iron involves ferroportin, which transports iron across the intestinal cell plasma membranes and from its storage sites into the tissue fluid before it enters the blood. Iron, once inside mucosal cells, binds to the protein ferritin forming iron-ferritin complexes for storage.

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