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'Science GIFs' was one of the largest and most active science-oriented collections on the Google+ social network with over 325,000 followers at the time of its shutting down. This website serves as a backup of the content from the collection.

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Hydrogen Peroxide and Blood

15 March 2016

Contrary to popular belief, the application of hydrogen peroxide to open wounds actually risks harming the surrounding tissue and slowing the healing process. This is because of the activity of an enzyme called catalase , which is found in almost every cell in the human body.

Catalase facilitates the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) into water (H2O) and oxygen (O2) and is important in protecting cells from oxidative damage. Hydrogen peroxide is actually so dangerous to cellular life that almost all organisms that are exposed to oxygen have evolved a pathway to break it down.

The formation of oxygen gas causes the blood to foam, which is why a direct injection of hydrogen peroxide would likely prove fatal. It is far safer and more effective to use soap and water when disinfecting open wounds.

Source: https://youtu.be/aCQIxpbss94

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Hydrogen Peroxide and Blood