2007-01-17 13:37:05 · 11 answers · asked by Artesmia 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
P.S. This is not for homework, or anything, I am genuinely curious.
2007-01-17 13:38:02 · update #1
Blood is NOT blue. And no, it doesn't change colours when it comes into contact with air or anything like that. Blood is red because of the red blood cells, and there are no such things as blue blood cells.
Blue is the colour of the veins. "Veins appear blue because light, penetrating the skin, is absorbed and reflected back to the eye. Since only the higher energy wavelengths can do this (lower energy wavelengths just don't have the *oomph*), only higher energy wavelengths are seen. And higher energy wavelengths are what we call 'blue'."
2007-01-17 13:48:47 · answer #1 · answered by kawaiisuzakuwarrior 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
The blue color you see through your skin is blood in veins, which has little or no oxigen and is returning to your lungs to get some. Blood without oxygen has a dark purple color when outside your body. Your skin actually makes is more look much more pale than it is. If you have a cut, you usually see the bright red blood that is still has oxygen in it. But if your were to draw blood from your vein (like when you donate blood) you would see its dark purple color even outside your body.
Remember blood is not a liquid, it's a tissue!
2007-01-17 22:33:08 · answer #2 · answered by Kalistrat 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Your blood isn't blue in your body - it is just the walls of your veins that are blue. Something in their walls makes it blue, whether its the collagen or some other protein.
Yes, there is some difference in colour between oxygenated and non-oxygenated blood (thats how the pulse-oximeters on your fingers in hospitals measure how much oxygen is in your blood) - but not the sort of difference between red and blue.
2007-01-17 21:41:56 · answer #3 · answered by schnikita 1 · 2⤊ 1⤋
ive wondered the same lol but its blue and red when its in ur body the red is blood that is full of oxygen and are mostly found in your arteries which are pretty deep under your skin then you have veins which has blood that has little oxygen and it is traveling to your heart its usually found in veins or capillaries which you can see sometimes sticking out of your skin when you cut yourself and the blue blood hits the air it gets oxygen and quickly turns red lol srry if its confusing :)
2007-01-17 21:43:28 · answer #4 · answered by Fully_Distorted_IP_Vic 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
blood turns red when it comes in contact with oxygen. the blue blood in your body is used and going to the lungs for oxygen
2007-01-17 21:41:07 · answer #5 · answered by kingmmk@ameritech.net 1 · 1⤊ 2⤋
the main reason is oxidation You blood does turn red when it is closer to your lungs and turns back to blue. The cells that carry oxygen change color with how much oxygen they have in them.
2007-01-17 21:42:55 · answer #6 · answered by hello 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Think of iron in the blood as "rusting" when the oxygen hits it--
in addition to the above great answers!
2007-01-17 21:44:55 · answer #7 · answered by Lisa the Pooh 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋
ur blood is a greenish blue while in ur body because it isnt in direct contact with the air and oxygen. when u bleed ur blood is in direct contact with the air and the moecules in ur blood cells called hemoglobin molecules turn bright red when they are full of oxygen and iron in ur blood helps turn ur blood red
2007-01-17 21:46:30 · answer #8 · answered by soccer playa 1 · 1⤊ 3⤋
It mixes with oxygen in the air, and changes color.
2007-01-17 21:44:45 · answer #9 · answered by momof2 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Who says it's blue? Your lips wouldn't be red if it was!
Even 'bluebloods' have red blood. ;-)
2007-01-17 21:44:41 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋