Red Blood Cell Flashcards, test questions and answers
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What is Red Blood Cell?
Red Blood Cells (RBCs) are the most common type of blood cell and the vertebrate body’s principal means of delivering oxygen to body tissues. RBCs are also known as erythrocytes, from the Greek words for red and cell. They contain hemoglobin, a complex protein responsible for transporting oxygen throughout the body. The average lifespan of a Red Blood Cell is approximately 120 days before it is broken down by the spleen and replaced with a new one.RBCs have an important role in our overall health due to their ability to transport oxygen from the lungs to other parts of our bodies. When we inhale air, oxygen enters our bloodstream where it binds with hemoglobin molecules contained in RBCs and is then circulated throughout our bodies, providing energy for metabolic reactions that occur all over our bodies. A lack of RBCs can result in fatigue, shortness of breath, anemia, or even heart failure if left untreated. It has also been shown that having too many RBCs can lead to hypertension or stroke due to increased clotting risk factors associated with higher levels of red blood cells in circulation.Without healthy Red Blood Cells we wouldn’t be able to function properly as they provide us with energy by delivering oxygen throughout our bodies while removing carbon dioxide waste through respiration. They also play an important role in preventing infection by carrying antibodies and antigens which recognize foreign invaders such as bacteria and viruses so they can be destroyed before causing damage or sickness within us. For these reasons it is essential that we keep our red blood cells functioning properly at all times.