Red blood cell

Red blood cells, also known as RBCs, erythrocytes (from Greek erythros for "red" and kytos for "hollow", with -cyte translated as "cell" in modern usage), are the most common type of blood cell and the vertebrate organism's principal means of delivering oxygen (O2) to the body tissues via the blood flow through the circulatory system.

Structure

RBCs are cells that are flexible and can change shape to an extent. They have a biconcave disc shape, which allows for increased surface area for the diffusion of oxygen. They lack a cell nucleus and most organelles, in order to accommodate maximum space for hemoglobin.

Function

The primary function of red blood cells is to transport oxygen from the lungs to the body tissues, and carbon dioxide from the tissues to the lungs. This is possible due to the protein hemoglobin, which can bind to oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Production and lifecycle

Red blood cells are produced in the bone marrow and are released into the bloodstream when they are mature. They have a lifespan of about 120 days, after which they are broken down and recycled in the liver and spleen.

Disorders

There are several disorders that can affect red blood cells, including anemia, sickle cell disease, and thalassemia. These can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath.

See also

• Hemoglobin
• Anemia
• Sickle cell disease
• Thalassemia

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