Why does your cut bubble white bubbles when pouring on hydrogen peroxide?

Answer 1

It's because blood contains iron (heme) and cells produce an enzyme called catalase. Catalase is found in nearly all cells and organs and acts as a catalyst in the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. Since a cut contains both blood and of course damaged cells, there is quite a lot of catalase present. When the H2O2 comes into contact with the catalase, it turns the peroxide into water (H2O) and oxygen gas (O2). Catalase breaks down the hydrogen peroxide extremely efficiently - up to 200,000 reactions/second. To see this reaction firsthand, I wouldn't recommend stabbing yourself, but you could pour some H2O2 onto a cut piece of potato to achieve the same results. The damaged potato cells contain catalase and will react with the peroxide in the same way.

It may appear that hydrogen peroxide is not bubbling in the bottle, but actually the same reaction occurs only much slower. Without a catalyst, like catalase, hydrogen peroxide decomposes at a rate of about 1% each year. So pay attention to that expiration date, it may be time to buy some more.

Answer 2

The reason why Hydrogen peroxide foams is because blood and cells contain an enzyme called catalase. Since a cut or scrape contains both blood and damaged cells, there is lots of catalase floating around.

When the catalase comes in contact with hydrogen peroxide, it turns the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) into water (H2O) and oxygen gas (O2).

The bubbles you see in the foam are pure oxygen bubbles being created by the catalase. Try putting a little hydrogen peroxide on a cut potato and it will do the same thing for the same reason -- catalase in the damaged potato cells reacts with the hydrogen peroxide.

Hydrogen peroxide does not foam in the bottle or on your skin because there is no catalase to help the reaction to occur.

Answer 3

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RE:
Why does your cut bubble white bubbles when pouring on hydrogen peroxide?

Answer 4

Hydrogen peroxide will oxidize blood which is to say that oxygen will combine with the blood cells and cause the bubbles. If you pour peroxide in the palm of your hand, it will bubble too but not as much as on a cut. Some bacteria are called anaerobic bacteria...those the require no oxygen to live...so the idea is that we can both wash away these bacterium and kill them with the peroxide. Some people gargle with peroxide to kill the various types of bacteria in the mouth (it has a brown taste to me) and using peroxide to clean ears helps to remover cerumen (ear wax).

Answer 5

H2O2 is a strong oxidizing agent which means it gets reduced. That is H2O2 gained electrons. And the advantage is that water is the only by product. 2H2O2(l) yields 2H2O(l) + O2(g) The white is the formation of oxygen gas bubbling off.

Answer 6

Hydrogen peroxide will make ANY cut bubble. It is normal and it means it is working to kill the germs.

Answer 7

Because it's killing all the germs.