Final answer:
Hemoglobin is the compound that contains the majority of the body's total iron, holding 60-70% of it.
Step-by-step explanation:
The compound in the body that normally contains the majority of the body's total iron is hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a complex protein found in red blood cells, with a quaternary structure that contains four iron ions, one in each of its subunits. These iron ions play a crucial role in oxygen transport, as they bind to oxygen molecules. The body's total iron content in a normal adult is between 4 to 5 grams, and 60-70% of this iron is present in hemoglobin. Other proteins like myoglobin, ferritin, and transferrin also contain iron, but in significantly lesser amounts compared to hemoglobin. Myoglobin is responsible for oxygen storage in muscle tissue, ferritin and hemosiderin store iron in the liver, spleen, and bone marrow, while transferrin transports iron through the bloodstream.