¿ìè¶ÌÊÓƵ

When you catch a fish, it quite often bleeds bright red blood as it is unhooked. Yet when you gut it, there is virtually no blood and the flesh is a translucent white. Why?

Harvey Rutt
Southampton, UK

We pay £25 for every answer published in ¿ìè¶ÌÊÓƵ. To answer this question – or ask a new one – email lastword@newscientist.com.

Questions should be scientific enquiries about everyday phenomena, and both questions and answers should be concise. We reserve the right to edit items for clarity and style. Please include a postal address, daytime telephone number and email address.

¿ìè¶ÌÊÓƵ retains total editorial control over the published content and reserves all rights to reuse question and answer material that has been submitted by readers in any medium or in any format.

You can also submit answers by post to: The Last Word, ¿ìè¶ÌÊÓƵ, 25 Bedford Street, London WC2E 9ES.

Terms and conditions apply.