Red Blood Cells Flashcards, test questions and answers

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What is Red Blood Cells?

Red Blood Cells (erythrocytes) are the most abundant type of cells in the human body and play a vital role in delivering oxygen from the lungs to other organs and tissues. They are biconcave discs, meaning they have a flattened, donut-like shape with a depression in the center on both sides. Their primary role is to transport oxygen and carbon dioxide throughout the body via the circulatory system, but they also help balance acidity levels and store iron for later use. Red Blood Cells are produced by stem cells located inside bone marrow. They usually live for around 120 days before being recycled by other cells or broken down into their component parts. Each red blood cell contains hemoglobin which is made up of four protein subunits called globins that contain heme groups with iron molecules at their center; these are what give red blood cells their characteristic red color when exposed to oxygen. The number of Red Blood Cells present in an individual’s bloodstream can vary depending on factors such as age, sex, health status and altitudethe higher an individual lives above sea level, the more Red Blood Cells will be present due to lower air pressure requiring more effort from each cell to deliver oxygen efficiently throughout the body. Too few Red Blood Cells leads to anemia while too many may indicate certain conditions like dehydration or polycythemia vera (an overproduction disorder). In conclusion, Red Blood Cells play an essential role in transporting vital nutrients throughout our bodies without which we would be unable to survive. It is important that we maintain healthy levels of these cells through proper hydration and nutrition so our bodies can function optimally.