Brains On! Science podcast for kids Body Bonanza: Bruises, scars and Band-Aids
May 13, 2025
Dive into the colorful world of bruises and healing! The hosts share hilarious anecdotes about injuries and weave science into storytelling, explaining how bruises change colors. Discover the magic of Band-Aids, as they learn from a pediatrician about the healing process and the role of collagen. Enjoy a fun mystery sound challenge, and celebrate the creativity of young listeners who contribute to the show's vibrant community. It's a playful blend of laughs, learning, and curiosity around our bodies!
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Personal Bruises and Scars
- Molly shares her experience of being super clumsy and getting lots of bruises as a kid, earning the nickname "banana legs."
- Nova talks about a scar on her chin from a skateboard fall, showing personal examples of bruises and scars.
Why Bruises Change Colors
- Bruises form when tiny capillaries break and blood leaks under the skin without breaking it.
- Hemoglobin in trapped blood loses oxygen and changes color, creating the bruise's shifting hues.
Bruise Colors Show Age
- Bruises change color during healing due to hemoglobin breaking down into biliverdin (green) and bilirubin (yellow).
- The color of a bruise indicates its age, revealing stages of healing.