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Why does rust smell like blood? Is it something to do with hemoglobin? Or are they unrelated?
Thanks!

2006-11-03 14:56:38 · 5 answers · asked by indygocean 2 in Science & Mathematics Chemistry

5 answers

oxidized blood will smell like rust smell. The hemoglobin is related because each molecule of HG has an iron atom.

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you will find some fascinating things about iron odor, blood scent and prehistoric hunters.

2006-11-03 15:23:01 · answer #1 · answered by Dr. J. 6 · 0 0

Yes -- the principal oxygen-transport mechanism of human blood uses the iron in hemoglobin.

Iron oxide is of course rust. Since oxygenated blood will have a significant ammount of iron oxide contained within it, a similar smell to that of wet rust would be expected.

2006-11-03 14:59:06 · answer #2 · answered by Mustela Frenata 5 · 0 0

They both are oxidized iron(rust) Have you heard of blue steel? We are full of rust, actually the rusting of the iron in our blood allows it to carry the oxygen throughout our bodies, until it is used up then our blood does turn bluish or a shade of purple for a time. We only see it as red because outside our body, in the air, it is rapidly oxidized or rusted.

2006-11-03 15:02:28 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1 0

i believe it is due to the iron content.

2006-11-03 15:04:33 · answer #4 · answered by bonsai bobby 7 · 1 0

IRON..................RELATED IN BOTH

2006-11-03 15:11:13 · answer #5 · answered by cork 7 · 0 1

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