Everyday Science

Instant Egghead - Why Do Bruises Change Color?

Sep 18, 2012 |  1

Ever wonder why a bruise goes through a rainbow of color changes before it completely heals itself? Scientific American editor Mark Fischetti explains how it happens.


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  1. 1. pHrog 06:30 PM 9/19/12

    Biliverdin and bilirubin do not have iron as part of the molecule. Hemosiderin does. Your explanation needs to be corrected. It is hemosiderin that makes bruises yellow. Also, bilirubin is not the only pigment in urine, there is also urobilin absorbed from the intestine that comes from urobilinogen. Urobilinogen is a molecule biotransformed from bilirubin diglucuronide, is colorless and is converted to urobilin by bacteria in the intestine. The molecular structures you show are accurate, the explanation is not.

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