Here's a mnemonic to remind us of the heme synthesis steps
Ala placed in urine cup produces heme
Aminolevulinic Acid --> Porphobilinogen --> Uroporphyrinogen --> Coproporphyrinogen --> Protoporphyrin (Protoheme) ---> Heme
There are other intermediates in the long pathway but these are the most important ones to remember for the USMLE.
Note that the mnemonic also helps us remember that letting urine to stand in porphyria produces the classical red wine urine.
Ala placed in urine cup produces heme
Aminolevulinic Acid --> Porphobilinogen --> Uroporphyrinogen --> Coproporphyrinogen --> Protoporphyrin (Protoheme) ---> Heme
There are other intermediates in the long pathway but these are the most important ones to remember for the USMLE.
Note that the mnemonic also helps us remember that letting urine to stand in porphyria produces the classical red wine urine.