logo
episode-header-image
Mar 2023
32m 28s

Why do we have blood and what does it do...

Vermont Public
About this episode

Why do people have blood, what is it, and what does it do? How do our bodies make new blood? Is it red or blue? Why does blood taste like metal? And why do we have different blood types? Our listeners have a lot of questions about blood. We learn about blood with UVM Medical Center and Larner College of Medicine pathologist Dr. Sarah Harm. 

Download our learning guides: PDF | Google Slide | Transcript

Up next
Aug 22
Why are puffins' beaks so colorful?
Have you ever seen a puffin? With their bright beaks, orange feet and black and white coloring, these birds are very cool to look at. And we’ve gotten a lot of questions about them! In this episode, we talk with Don Lyons, an educator and avian ecologist with the Seabird Institut ... Show More
39m 34s
Aug 8
Who invented the English language?
Where did the English language come from? Why do words have silent letters? Why do some people have accents? Why do some words sound similar? Answers to all of your questions about English and words with sociolinguist Erica Brozovsky, host of a PBS digital show called Otherwords. ... Show More
34m 30s
Jul 25
Chameleons, jellyfish and ballerinas! Check out But Why Bites
For today’s episode, we’re doing something a little different! We’re going to be listening to our video series, But Why Bites! (Even without the video part, they’re really cool!) Every other week over on our YouTube channel, we answer one kid question in a short and sweet little ... Show More
14m 2s
Recommended Episodes
Dec 2020
ELI5 Blood - how does circulation work after an amputation?
Why does blood not stick to human skin like a permanent marker, yet stains things like clothes really badly? How does circulation work after an amputation? How many blood types are there? What does A B & O mean? If blood in your veins looks blue, why do we never see blue blood wh ... Show More
8m 33s
Jun 2024
What kind of blood do insects have?
If you’ve ever smacked a mosquito on your arm, you might have seen a little smear  of red blood on your skin afterward. But just whose blood was it? Do we have the same blood as insects? We asked biologist Claire Rusch from the University of Washington to help us find the answer. ... Show More
5m 12s
Mar 2021
018 Blood Draw: Bloodletting & Vampirism
Many people battling symptoms, conditions, or chronic illness are subjected to routine blood draws and tests. How can these routine blood draws affect the body? In this episode, I uncover important truths about blood draws and reveal why the blood testing and donation system is b ... Show More
1h 10m
Aug 2020
383 - What Does Your Blood Type Mean? How Rare Is Yours?
Your blood type is one of the many things you inherit from your parents. But what does it mean, and how does it affect your medical care? Do you have a rare blood type? 
10m 2s
Mar 2022
The demography of blood groups
Knowing your blood group is handy information if you need a blood transfusion, or even an organ transplant. And it's essential information for the blood bank recruiting donors who match your blood type—and for people needing a blood product. 
8m 22s
Oct 2019
I Drink Your Blood Type
Gather round ye blood drinkers and children of the night, for in this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe will discuss human blood types -- what they are, why they exist and what powers they hold. It’s all required listeners for any serious vampires. Learn more abo ... Show More
1h 1m
Aug 2024
Blut – Lebensspender, Abwehrkraft und Jungbrunnen
Eine Blutspende kann Leben retten. Aber nur, weil die meisten seiner Bestandteile seit gut 100 Jahren konserviert werden können. Viele Kulturen geben dem Blut eine symbolische Bedeutung. Von Volkart Wildermuth (SWR 2023/2024) | Manuskript und mehr zur Sendung: http://swr.li/blut- ... Show More
30m 2s
Aug 2023
Why aren’t more of us donating blood?
Friends and family are often called on to donate blood to loved ones in a medical emergency or ahead of routine surgery. But across the continent, there is a shortfall in blood needed for life saving transfusions. The World Health Organisation estimates that they are only meeting ... Show More
21m 33s
Mar 2021
102 Transfusions of Blood Products
Join EM physicians Mike Samuels and Dan McCollum as they discuss different blood products that can be transfused.  Why don't we commonly use whole blood? Who needs to receive packed red blood cells? Are there any dangers to giving platelets? When is fresh frozen plasma needed?  E ... Show More
25m 39s