Iron compounds in the heart-body of the terebellid polychaeteNeoamphitrite figulus

Abstract

The heart-body contains haematins derived from by-products of haem synthesis. It also contains a non-haem iron protein and a flavin. Study of the relative amounts of these substances in worms of different ages and at different seasons suggests that the flavin plays some part in the metabolic activity of the organ and that the haematins accumulate throughout life. No evidence was found for the heart-body participating in any excretory activity or in haemoglobin breakdown.