Blood cells
Blood cells
Blood cells, also known as hemocytes, are cells produced by hematopoiesis and found mainly in the blood. Pronunciation: /ˈblʌd sɛlz/. The etymology of the term comes from the Old English blōd and the Latin cella, meaning small room.
Types of Blood Cells
There are three types of blood cells:
- Red blood cells (RBCs), also known as erythrocytes, are the most common type of blood cell and the vertebrate's principal means of delivering oxygen to the body tissues via the blood flow through the circulatory system.
- White blood cells (WBCs), or leukocytes, are cells of the immune system involved in protecting the body against both infectious disease and foreign invaders.
- Platelets, or thrombocytes, are very small, irregularly shaped clear cell fragments that are derived from fragmentation of precursor megakaryocytes.
Production of Blood Cells
The production of blood cells, known as hematopoiesis, occurs in the bone marrow. Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) differentiate into various types of blood cells.
Function of Blood Cells
Each type of blood cell has a distinct function:
- Red blood cells transport oxygen to body tissues.
- White blood cells defend the body against disease and foreign invaders.
- Platelets are involved in blood clotting.
Related Terms
- Hematopoiesis - The process of blood cell production.
- Hemoglobin - The protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen.
- Leukocytes - Another term for white blood cells.
- Erythrocytes - Another term for red blood cells.
- Thrombocytes - Another term for platelets.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Blood cells
- Wikipedia's article - Blood cells
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