Question

Please answer in detail about the structure and nature of the proteins in blood.

When we get a blood stain on our shirt, why should you rinse it with cold water and not hot water BEFORE it drys?

Please answer both points of why it should be washed with cold water and why it should be done before it drys and answer in detail about the structure and nature of the proteins in blood.

Answer 1

Blood Protiens:

Blood protiens are proteins present in blood plasma. They serve many different functions, including transport of various substances and functioning of immune system. Some act as enzymes, inhibitors or precursors.

The different components of blood protiens include:

• Albumins
• Globulin
• Fibinogen
• Prothrombin,etc

Structure of protiens vary according to the function they perform

Blood Stains and the effect of water on them:

To help you understand I will first explain to you using another similar example of an egg as well which will help you in better understanding the concept

• Protiens have a tendency to coagulate
• Different protiens coagulate at different temperatures
• Blood can coagulate and clot at room temperatures while egg protien usually doesn't but what is common is the fact that on applying heat they start to coagulate faster.
• Just imagine leaving an egg in a dish versus boiling it,the same principle apllies to blood as well
• There are various clotting factors in blood which coagulate faster in warmer conditions.
• When you use warm water ,it helps those protiens bind faster to the fabric of the cloth thus setting the stain and making it harder to remove them.
• On the other hand when you use cold water on a blood stain,it doesn't help the stain set and dilutes it a bit which helps to get rid of them faster
• If you let the stain dry the it means that it has set and the protiens have been set which makes it very very hard to remove them
• If you can imagine the behaviour of egg and how heat affects it ,it makes it easier to understand the concept
• Other blood related instances include small injuries such as when someone scraps thier knees the injury initally causes bleeding but after some time the blood clots.

Hope my explaination helps and please feel free to reach out for further clarification