Why does hydrogen peroxide decompose so quickly when applied to a cut?

You really like these homework related questions, dontcha?

Just recently, lol. And I just remembered. Catalase has iron in it doesn’t it? Is that what I’m thinking of?

Well, the Hydrogen Peroxide decomposes so quickly for different reasons than for why it’s useful to apply to a cut.

Catalase is the enzyme that’ll make it foam.

I don’t think the Fe in hemoglobin is in the correct form to decompose the HO.

Wasn’t this answered in your last question?

Hydrogen peroxide (H202) is a by product of certain cellular reactions. It is also very toxic to cells so must be broken down as quickly as possible or it will kill the cell. The enzyme, catalase, breaks H2O2 into H2O and and O2 which are safe for the cell. When you apply H2O2 to a cut, the bubbles you see are the O2 being formed in the reaction as the enzyme goes to work immediately.