Final answer:
Jaundice, also known as icterus, is the yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes resulting from high levels of bilirubin in the blood. It usually occurs when the liver is unable to process bilirubin effectively, often due to liver diseases or disorders.
Step-by-step explanation:
The condition that results in the yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes due to high levels of bilirubin in the blood is known as jaundice or icterus. Jaundice is caused by the accumulation of bilirubin, a bile pigment that is a byproduct of the normal breakdown of red blood cells. When the liver, which typically processes bilirubin, is not functioning properly due to conditions such as liver disease, liver cancer, or hepatitis, bilirubin builds up in the blood and spreads to tissues, causing a yellow coloration. The normal concentration of bilirubin is less than 1 mg/100 ml of blood. A condition occurs known as hyperbilirubinemia when the concentration exceeds this limit. With concentrations reaching 2 mg/100 ml or more, the blood cannot retain any additional bilirubin, and it starts diffusing into the peripheral tissues, resulting in noticeable jaundice.