Game:

Blood (1997)

Duration: 5:06

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Why Do Aliens Have ACID BLOOD? - Alien Romulus

Xenomorph acidic blood is one of the Alien’s most recognisable physical attributes, and all stages of the creature's life cycle are found to contain the fluid.
The blood itself is a potent molecular acid that the Xenomorph XX121 contains within its body.
As a highly corrosive substance, it is capable of burning through virtually any natural or man-made material.
While serving its primary function as the creature’s literal lifeblood providing the Xenomorph with energy, it also serves a secondary purpose – as a defence mechanism, so any would-be attackers dare not kill it.
It is typically a dull yellow in colour, but sometimes has more of a green hint to it, depending on the material it is depicted in.
alien romulus trailer
One other theory is that the acid is primarily a component of a biological "battery", generating a powerful bio-electric charge by means of chemical reaction, replacing the need for traditional respiration and digestion of food altogether.
This would help to explain how the creature is apparently able to survive in the vacuum of space for significant periods, and also how the Ovomorph stage is able to remain dormant but alive for vastly extended periods of time.
The exact composition of Xenomorph blood is not known. It has been suggested that it may consist of either sulfuric, or hydrofluoric acid, although this is largely theoretical, and the exact chemical composition remains unknown.
It is possible that the blood may even be flammable to a degree, as when a Xenomorph is shot or incinerated, the liquid will seem to explode out from the stricken creature.
Some different types or castes of Xenomorph may use the blood in a specialised way, such as the Spitter type, which, as the name suggests, can actually spray its own blood as an offensive weapon. An Alien in Alien Resurrection was seen to do this as well.
Or like the Boiler type, which will run towards its victim, and rupture its own body, drenching them in huge quantities of acid.
Facehuggers have the ability to secrete acid in order to burn through obstructions such as space helmets, or cryo-tubes, to gain access to hosts.
Similarly, fully grown Xenomorphs are shown to have an understanding of their blood's properties, and have been known to deliberately mutilate or even kill each other in order to use it to overcome obstacles.
The clone of Ellen Ripley had her DNA fused with the Alien embryo inside her during the cloning process. One of the effects was that she inherited the acid-blood herself, but it didn’t seem quite as corrosive, and was still red like a Humans blood.
The Xenomorphs, naturally are immune to the effects of the acid, thanks to the composition of their carapace, similar to how Humans and other animals aren’t burned by their own stomach acid by having a lining of mucus within the gut.
While the substance is notoriously corrosive, there are some methods and materials that can resist it. For instance, Facehugger specimens in Hadley’s hope were suspended in alkaline water baths that rendered them unable to use their blood to escape the containment tanks in which they were held.
The so-called “Apesuit” body armour utilised by Weyland Yutani commandos was made partially of acid-resistant material.

But perhaps the most notable cases of acid-resistance technology reside with the Yautja, or Predators as they are best known as, who are known to have some weapons and armour which is immune to Xenomorph acid, such as the Combistick, Shuriken, and Ceremonial Dagger; the latter of which, is actually said to be made from Alien bone. Not all Predator equipment will necessarily be acid-proof however, as too much would negate the entire challenge of hunting Xenomorphs. Yautja blood itself is also known to be able to partially neutralise the acidity of Alien blood.
The effects of acid blood are portrayed with varying consistency in the films. In Alien, it is seen to be capable of melting through two decks of the Nostromo in mere seconds, yet when Ripley shoots the fully-grown Alien with a grappling gun at the climax of the film, the spilled blood fails to melt the tether and free the creature.
In Aliens, Corporal Hicks' armour is destroyed by acid blood, yet at many other points the substance does not damage the walls and floors around dying creatures like it should.
This can be chalked up to filmmaking reasons for convenience’s sake.

Let me know what you thought of the Xenomorph blood, in the comments section, and whether you’re excited for Alien romulus when it releases. And if you enjoyed this video, then check out my video I did on Predator blood here.
Thank you, and I’ll see you next time.


Deep Space by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Artist: http://audionautix.com/

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