coagulates

Coagulates is the third-person singular present tense of the verb coagulate. The word coagulation describes processes by which a liquid becomes more solid or gel-like, typically through particle destabilization, protein denaturation, or chemical cross-linking. In colloid science, coagulation refers to the aggregation of dispersed particles into larger clumps that can be separated from the liquid.

Biology and medicine: In hemostasis, blood coagulation is a cascade of enzymatic reactions that converts soluble fibrinogen into insoluble fibrin, forming a mesh that stabilizes a clot. Dysfunctions in the coagulation system can lead to excessive bleeding or pathological clotting.

Food science: Coagulation of proteins occurs when foods are heated or treated with acid or enzymes. Examples include milk turning into curds when rennet or acid is added, and egg whites solidifying with heat. The process affects texture and structure.

Environmental and industrial contexts: Coagulation is used to treat water and wastewater. Coagulants such as aluminum or iron salts destabilize colloidal particles, enabling flocculation and sedimentation for impurity removal. It is also relevant in paper production and dairy processing.

Distinctions: Coagulation differs from flocculation. Coagulation destabilizes colloids; flocculation promotes the aggregation of destabilized particles into larger, settleable flocs. The term coagulates may appear as a verb form in descriptions of processes, for example, “the suspension coagulates rapidly under heat.”