MadSci Network: Anatomy
Query:

Re: Is blood a colloid, suspension, or/and solution?why?

Date: Sun May 16 15:39:55 2004
Posted By: Art Anderson, Senior Scientist in Immunology and Pathology at USAMRIID
Area of science: Anatomy
ID: 1083259528.An
Message:

zs, 

Your question is interesting expecially because you seem to have answered 
it by using the term heterogeneus mixture. Blood is a colloid because 
large protein components with large wet-able carbohydrate groups form a 
colloidal suspension (behaving like both a solution and a suspension). 
Some of the colloidal molecules like fibrin, are capable of reacting to 
specific stimuli released by damaged cells and this precipitates enzymatic 
action and polymerization of fibrin into clot (a gel that behaves both as 
a colloid and a solid). 

Blood contains salts that are completely dissolved and broken down into 
positive and negative ions (true solutions). 

And, blood is also a suspension of platelets, red blood cells, and white 
blood cells consisting of neutrophils, lymphocytes and monocytes.  


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