Erythrocyte: Difference between revisions
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Erythrocytes (or red blood cell) are one of | Erythrocytes (or red blood cell) are one of the main components in the blood along with [[Leukocytes|leukocytes]], [[Platelets|platelets]] and [[Blood plasma|plasma]]. Every second, 2-3 million red blood cells are created<ref name="Blood Groups and Red Cell Antigens">Blood Groups and Red Cell Antigens, Dean.L., -http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/bookshelf/br.fcgi?book=rbcantigen</ref>. These are made from the [[Haemopoetic pluripotent stem cells|haemopoetic pluripotent stem cells]] in the [[Bone marrow|bone marrow]]. | ||
They are involved in the transport of [[Oxygen|oxygen]] around the body through the binding of oxygen to the red pigment [[Haemoglobin|haemoglobin]]. | They are involved in the transport of [[Oxygen|oxygen]] around the body through the binding of oxygen to the red pigment [[Haemoglobin|haemoglobin]]. | ||
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Erythrocytes contain no [[Nucleus|nucleus]] or [[Mitochondria|mitochondria]], which gives the cell more space so that it can contain more [[Haemoglobin|haemoglobin]]. The more haemoglobin present in the cells, the more [[Oxygen|oxygen]] each red blood cell is able to transport, therefore erythrocytes are able to carry out their function more effectively. | Erythrocytes contain no [[Nucleus|nucleus]] or [[Mitochondria|mitochondria]], which gives the cell more space so that it can contain more [[Haemoglobin|haemoglobin]]. The more haemoglobin present in the cells, the more [[Oxygen|oxygen]] each red blood cell is able to transport, therefore erythrocytes are able to carry out their function more effectively. | ||
The lack of nuclei or mitochondria gives mature red blood cells their biconcave disc shape, which gives the cell a higher surface area to volume ratio, aiding [[Diffusion|diffusion]] and increasing the cell's ability to absorb oxygen. More oxygen is therefore able to diffuse into the cell at any one time. | The lack of nuclei or mitochondria gives mature red blood cells their biconcave disc shape, which gives the cell a higher surface area to volume ratio, aiding [[Diffusion|diffusion]] and increasing the cell's ability to absorb oxygen. More oxygen is, therefore, able to diffuse into the cell at any one time. | ||
=== Blood Types === | === Blood Types === | ||
Red blood cells also have a role in determining [[Blood types|blood types]]. There are four main blood groups: A, B, O and AB. | Red blood cells also have a role in determining [[Blood types|blood types]]. There are four main blood groups: A, B, O and AB. These are caused by different [[Antigen|antigens]] and different sugars attached to the surface of the erythrocyte. | ||
A blood group contains [[N-acetyl-galactosamine|N-acetyl-galactosamine]] whilst B blood group contains just galactosamine. | A blood group contains [[N-acetyl-galactosamine|N-acetyl-galactosamine]] whilst B blood group contains just galactosamine. | ||
=== | === References === | ||
<references /> | |||
Revision as of 21:57, 4 December 2017
Erythrocytes (or red blood cell) are one of the main components in the blood along with leukocytes, platelets and plasma. Every second, 2-3 million red blood cells are created[1]. These are made from the haemopoetic pluripotent stem cells in the bone marrow.
They are involved in the transport of oxygen around the body through the binding of oxygen to the red pigment haemoglobin.
Structure
Erythrocytes contain no nucleus or mitochondria, which gives the cell more space so that it can contain more haemoglobin. The more haemoglobin present in the cells, the more oxygen each red blood cell is able to transport, therefore erythrocytes are able to carry out their function more effectively.
The lack of nuclei or mitochondria gives mature red blood cells their biconcave disc shape, which gives the cell a higher surface area to volume ratio, aiding diffusion and increasing the cell's ability to absorb oxygen. More oxygen is, therefore, able to diffuse into the cell at any one time.
Blood Types
Red blood cells also have a role in determining blood types. There are four main blood groups: A, B, O and AB. These are caused by different antigens and different sugars attached to the surface of the erythrocyte.
A blood group contains N-acetyl-galactosamine whilst B blood group contains just galactosamine.
References
- ↑ Blood Groups and Red Cell Antigens, Dean.L., -http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/bookshelf/br.fcgi?book=rbcantigen