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Questions and Answers
What is one of the primary functions of red blood cells (RBCs)?
What is one of the primary functions of red blood cells (RBCs)?
The biconcave shape of RBCs enables them to pass through narrow capillaries without rupture.
The biconcave shape of RBCs enables them to pass through narrow capillaries without rupture.
True
What enzyme do RBCs contain that catalyzes the reaction between water and carbon dioxide?
What enzyme do RBCs contain that catalyzes the reaction between water and carbon dioxide?
Carbonic anhydrase
The normal diameter of a red blood cell (RBC) is ______ micrometers.
The normal diameter of a red blood cell (RBC) is ______ micrometers.
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Match the following RBC attributes with their correct descriptions:
Match the following RBC attributes with their correct descriptions:
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Study Notes
Function of RBCs
- RBCs enclose hemoglobin, which enables them to carry oxygen and carbon dioxide.
- Hemoglobin in RBCs carries O2 and CO2.
- RBCs contain carbonic anhydrase, an enzyme that catalyzes the reaction between H2O and CO2.
RBC Characteristics
- Adult males have 5-5.5 million RBCs per mm3.
- Adult females have 4.5-4.8 million RBCs per mm3.
- Newborn infants have a higher number of RBCs.
- RBCs are circular, biconcave, non-nucleate discs.
- The biconcave shape of RBCs increases their surface area in relation to volume.
- The biconcave shape of RBCs enables them to pass through narrow capillaries without rupture.
- RBCs have a volume of 90 µ3.
- RBCs have a diameter of 7.5 µ.
- RBCs have a thickness of 2 µ.
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Description
Learn about the functions of RBCs, including hemoglobin and carbonic anhydrase, and their number, shape, and size in adults and newborns.
