ChatterBank3 mins ago
why is snot green?
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For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.After all that, your question still wasn't answered... so...The green colour comes from immune cells called neutrophils. When you get a cold these neutrophils engulf the bacteria and begin to destroy them using digestive enzymes. Some of these enzymes, such as lactoferrin, are dependent on iron for their activity. The colouration comes from the iron - ferrous iron compounds are green. After a while, snot turns yellow as other cells start moving in and dying.
In the nose, mucous acts as a barrier against germs, dust and other noxious substances. We breathe between 10,000 and 30,000 litres of air each day - which carries pollen, germs and a great deal of other gunk. These get trapped in the mucous surface and destroyed by white cells and enzymes. More than you ever wanted to know... (With help from bbc.co.uk)