Red and blue Quote by Nick Lane
““Pigments such as haemoglobin are coloured because they absorb light of particular colours (bands of light, as in a rainbow) and reflect back light of other colours. The pattern of light absorbed by a compound is known as its absorption spectrum. When binding oxygen, haemoglobin absorbs light in the blue-green and yellow parts of the spectrum, but reflects back red light, and this is the reason why we perceive arterial blood as a vivid red colour. The absorption spectrum changes when oxygen dissociates from haemoglobin in venous blood. Deoxyhaemoglobin absorbs light across the green part of the spectrum, and reflects back red and blue light. This gives venous blood its purple colour.””
About This Quote
Source Lecture: Biochemistry of blood coloration, 2018
Hemoglobin’s color changes with oxygen binding due to different light absorption.
In simple terms: Blood color shows oxygen levels.
Key Takeaway
Use color cues for health monitoring.
Themes
science
biology
color
oxygen
diagnostics
Mood
educational
technical
Type
informative
scientific
When to use this quote
- medical diagnostics
- educational videos
- research presentations
Key Concepts
Absorption spectra
light interaction
physiology
Questions to Reflect On
- Can non‑invasive color detection improve patient care?
- What limits exist for visual oxygen assessment?
A Different Perspective
Spectral analysis requires precise instruments.
