Question

A bruise appears greenish in the skin because?

1) bilirubin from hemoglobin recycling has accumulated in the bruise
2) dead white blood cells accumulate at the site of injury
3) green-colored hemoglobin leaks from the bloodstream into the bruise
4) the heme group in hemoglobin has broken down into biliverdin

Answer 1

A bruise turns greenish due to the breakdown of hemoglobin into biliverdin, a process part of the body's recycling of blood cell components.

Step-by-step explanation:

A bruise appears greenish in the skin because the heme group in hemoglobin has broken down into biliverdin. During the lifecycle of erythrocytes, or red blood cells, the spleen removes old or damaged cells from circulation. The breakdown products of these cells, which include biliverdin, contribute to the changing colors of a bruise. Initially, a bruise may look red due to the blood pooling underneath the skin, but as it heals, the hemoglobin breaks down into biliverdin, causing the greenish hue. This process is part of how the body recycles the components of blood cells.