This is true right>
2006-12-16 23:58:57 · 7 answers · asked by lorraine B 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
In humans and other hemoglobin-using creatures, oxygenated blood is bright red. This is due to oxygenated iron in the red blood cells. Deoxygenated blood is a darker shade of red, which can be seen during blood donation and when venous blood samples are taken.
However, due to an optical effect caused by THE WAY IN WHICH LIGHT PENETRATES THROUGH THE SKIN, VEINS TYPICALLY APPEAR BLUE in color. This has led to a common misconception that venous blood is blue before it is exposed to air.
Another reason for this misconception is that medical charts always show venous blood as blue in order to distinguish it from arterial blood which is depicted as red on the same chart.
Skin refracts light so that deep red color actually appears a little blue from outside the skin.
2006-12-17 00:48:42 · answer #1 · answered by Pearlsawme 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
That's Right (I'm A Biology Teacher) But Can You Explain Why Some People Might Think Blood Is Blue? IE Why Do Our Veins Look Blue If The Blood Inside Them Is Red?
2006-12-17 08:11:02 · answer #2 · answered by Paul R 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hemoglobin has a red color to
it and that oxygenated hemoglobin is bright red. So in arteries blood appears to be bright red. This is true inside and outside. Outside of the body the color actually fades a bit (becomes darker),because there is less pressure to keep oxygen associated with the hemoglobin. But if you cut an artery the blood squirting out will appear bright red. Blood that is in veins, however, has very little oxygen associated with it and this yields a
color that is much darker. As you noted, because of having to look through the skin at veins they actually take on a blue tint, but really the blood inside (and if you cut a vein) is just a deep shade of red. You can also see this in persons that have stopped breathing or have blood flow blocked to a specific area; they appear blue. (A condition referred to as cyanosis.)
2006-12-17 08:10:12 · answer #3 · answered by 1/Cos c 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you cut an artery the blood is bright red,from a vein it has less oxygen in it and causes the hemoglobin to absorb more red light
That is why a persons lips turn blue when they are suffocating.
2006-12-17 08:54:43 · answer #4 · answered by Billy Butthead 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
LOL....No, it's NOT true. Blood is always red! Bright red or dark red....but always red.
Bright red is oxgenated....it darkens as the oxygen is used up.
Sorry, but blood is NEVER blue.
2006-12-17 08:04:20 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
our blood is always red. it appears blue when you look at your veins through your skin.
2006-12-17 08:08:48 · answer #6 · answered by ashleigh b 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it is because of the increase in oxygen
2006-12-17 08:15:17 · answer #7 · answered by JEN 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋