• Question: what makes tear drops

    Asked by 787enqm47 to Dan, Jennifer, Luke, Martin, sakshisharda on 14 Mar 2018. This question was also asked by Best Mates.
    • Photo: Jennifer Paxton

      Jennifer Paxton answered on 14 Mar 2018:


      Tear drops are made by the lacrimal glands, which sit just above each eye (and slightly to the side). Tears are made of mainly water, but also contain some oils, mucus and some enzymes. The tears are secreted over the eye in a thin layer and keep the surface of the eyeball wet. This is happening constantly and the tears drain through little tiny holes in the inside of your eyelids and then into a tube that connects to your nose! Now, if you are actually crying, tear production increases A LOT and you end up with tears spilling over onto your cheeks and a very runny nose!

      Did you know that some scientists have investigated tears and found out that they are actually made up of slightly different stuff depending on whether you are crying through happiness, sadness or pain? How amazing is that?!

    • Photo: Martin Lindley

      Martin Lindley answered on 14 Mar 2018:


      mostly water

      but a small amount of other chemicals

      the content of tears changes with how you feel …….so i am hoping that your breath also changes depending upon how you feel …

      i dont want to make you cry for my research project 🙂

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