Is Blood Red or Blue? Debunking Common Misconceptions

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The discussion centers around a common misconception that blood is blue, particularly focusing on the belief that deoxygenated blood appears blue. Participants provide various explanations to clarify that blood is red in both its oxygenated and deoxygenated states, although the shades differ. Key points include the role of hemoglobin, which cannot be blue without significant chemical changes, and the visual perception of veins, which may appear blue through the skin. Suggestions for convincing the brother include showing him blood directly, such as through a blood donation, to illustrate its true color. The conversation also touches on the origins of the misconception, possibly stemming from biology education, and emphasizes the importance of understanding the chemistry behind blood color. Overall, the consensus is that blood is red, and the misconception is largely based on misunderstanding and visual perception.
  • #31
DaveC426913 said:
Lower pressure of what? Syringe reservoir starts off at zero volume (because plunger is fully inserted). Pull back on plunger, syringe fills with blood. Where would the air come from?

There's still some air in the needle. You got to create a perfect vacuum. It just takes one oxygen atom to change an entire sample of blood from blue to red.
 
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  • #32
Regardless though even if you had veinous blood out in the open air and you had arterial blood you wuold notice they are different in colour.
 
  • #33
leroyjenkens said:
There's still some air in the needle. You got to create a perfect vacuum. It just takes one oxygen atom to change an entire sample of blood from blue to red.

No need for vacuum - fill the syringe first with water to make sure there are no air bubbles left.
 
  • #34
Borek said:
No need for vacuum - fill the syringe first with water to make sure there are no air bubbles left.

How about oxygen in the water?

Also, what if clotting changes the colour of deoxygenated blood?
 
  • #35
atyy said:
How about oxygen in the water?

Also, what if clotting changes the colour of deoxygenated blood?

What if you have no evidence to support your theories? What if you just keep posting for the sake of posting?


Answer: You go to the principals office.
 
  • #36
zomgwtf said:
What if you have no evidence to support your theories? What if you just keep posting for the sake of posting?


Answer: You go to the principals office.

Please provide a refereed reference that shows the measurement of the colour of non-clotted deoxygenated blood, stating the level of deoxygenation of the blood.
 
  • #37
atyy said:
Please provide a refereed reference that shows the measurement of the colour of non-clotted deoxygenated blood, stating the level of deoxygenation of the blood.

Who ARE you and where are YOUR references. All I see you doing is making claims that because Iron sulfate is greenish blue that it means that porphyrin in our blood doesn't make our blood red. YOU need to substantiate what your saying about de-oxygenated blood having an effect. This will go on forever if you just keep making up scenarios and requesting evidence oh-contrare.
 
  • #39
Sorry, other than the OP's brother, is there any serious dissent that oxygenated blood is bright red and deoxygenated blood is darker red?

If not, are we arguing for the sake of anything more than because we like the sound of our own voices?
 
  • #40
DaveC426913 said:
Sorry, other than the OP's brother, is there any serious dissent that oxygenated blood is bright red and deoxygenated blood is darker red?

If not, are we arguing for the sake of anything more than because we like the sound of our own voices?

See the two references in post #38, and http://omlc.ogi.edu/spectra/hemoglobin/ .

I would guess:
Is hemoglobin blue? No, it has a huge absorption peak in the blue.
Is deoxyhemoglobin bluer than oxyhemoglobin? Yes, it has a larger absorption peak in the red.
 
  • #41
This is all pointless. The question is asked and answered. Thread locked.
 

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