68 Questions
What is the shape of mature erythrocytes?
Biconcave discs
What is the function of the antioxidant enzymes present in erythrocytes?
They rid the body of harmful oxygen radicals
What mechanism allows erythrocytes to change shape as necessary?
The deformable spectrin net
Why do erythrocytes have a larger surface area compared to spherical cells of the same volume?
The disc shape
What percentage of an erythrocyte is hemoglobin?
Over 97%
How do erythrocytes generate ATP?
Anaerobically
What is the primary function of erythrocytes?
To transport respiratory gases
What is the name of the protein that makes red blood cells red?
Hemoglobin
What is the normal range of hemoglobin in adult females?
12-16 g/100 ml
What is the main reason hemoglobin is contained in erythrocytes?
To prevent leakage from the bloodstream
Where does oxygen loading occur?
In the lungs
What is the result of oxygen-deficient blood moving through the lungs?
Oxygen diffuses into the blood
Why are erythrocytes shaped like biconcave discs?
To maximize surface area for gas exchange
What is the role of hemoglobin in the transportation of respiratory gases?
Binds reversibly with oxygen for transport in the blood
What is the primary function of the spectrin net in erythrocytes?
Enable deformability
Which component of hemoglobin bears an iron ion in its center?
Heme group
Why is hemoglobin contained within erythrocytes and not found freely in plasma?
To maintain osmotic balance between blood and tissues
What role do antioxidant enzymes play in erythrocytes?
Protect against harmful oxygen radicals
How many molecules of oxygen can a hemoglobin molecule transport?
Four
How do erythrocytes differ from other cells in terms of respiration?
They consume the oxygen they carry
When oxygen binds to hemoglobin in the lungs, what is the resulting compound called?
Oxyhemoglobin
What percentage of the cytoplasm of an erythrocyte is composed of hemoglobin?
Over 97%
What is the primary function of the red heme pigment in hemoglobin?
To aid in the reversible binding of oxygen
Which structural feature of erythrocytes allows them to navigate through capillaries without getting stuck?
Deformable spectrin net
What is the primary function of the iron ion (Fe2+) in hemoglobin?
To facilitate the binding of oxygen molecules
Why do erythrocytes have a larger surface area compared to spherical cells of the same volume?
To allow them to navigate through capillaries without getting stuck
How does the binding of oxygen to hemoglobin affect the protein's shape?
It causes the protein to assume a new three-dimensional shape
Why does blood viscosity increase with free hemoglobin in the bloodstream?
Free hemoglobin attracts more water molecules, making blood thicker
Which part of the hemoglobin molecule combines reversibly with one molecule of oxygen?
The iron atom
What happens to the iron in hemoglobin when oxygen binds to it in the lungs?
It is partially oxidized
What is the primary advantage of the biconcave disk shape of erythrocytes?
Increased surface area for gas exchange
What is the approximate percentage of an erythrocyte that is composed of hemoglobin?
97%
Why are erythrocytes able to efficiently transport oxygen?
Because they do not consume oxygen they carry
What organelles are lacking in mature erythrocytes?
Mitochondria and nuclei
How do antioxidant enzymes contribute to erythrocyte function?
By ridding the body of harmful oxygen radicals
What is the primary function of the structural proteins in erythrocytes?
To allow deformation and spring back into shape
What is a unique feature of the plasma membrane of mature erythrocytes?
It is flexible and deformable
What is the primary advantage of the anaerobic mechanisms of ATP generation in erythrocytes?
It makes them more efficient oxygen transporters
What is the main function of antioxidant enzymes present in erythrocytes?
To rid the body of harmful oxygen radicals
What is the approximate percentage of an erythrocyte's composition that is not water?
97%
What is the shape of the spectrin net that allows erythrocytes to deform and spring back into shape?
A deformable net
Why is the biconcave disc shape of erythrocytes ideal for gas exchange?
Because no point within the cytoplasm is far from the surface
What is the site where oxygen binds to hemoglobin in the blood?
Lungs
What is the name of the hormone that stimulates the formation of erythrocytes?
Erythropoietin
What is the approximate number of erythrocytes produced per second in healthy individuals?
Over 2 million
What is the function of the process of erythropoiesis?
To produce erythrocytes
What is the result of having too few erythrocytes in the blood?
Tissue hypoxia
What is the significance of the biconcave shape of erythrocytes?
Efficient oxygen transport
What is the primary role of the kidneys in erythrocyte production?
To produce erythropoietin
What is the name of the cell that is formed after an orthochromatic erythroblast has accumulated almost all of its hemoglobin?
Reticulocyte
What is the normal range of hemoglobin in adult males?
13-18 g/100 ml
What is the component of hemoglobin that binds to oxygen?
Iron ion
What is the normal range of hemoglobin in adult males?
12–16 g/100 ml
How many iron ions are present in a hemoglobin molecule?
Four
What is the result of the iron in hemoglobin being partially oxidized by oxygen?
Hemoglobin assumes a new three-dimensional shape and becomes ruby red
Which cell type is essentially a young erythrocyte?
Reticulocyte
What is the approximate duration from hematopoietic stem cell to reticulocyte?
15 days
What causes the biconcave shape of erythrocytes?
Nucleus degeneration
What is the main role of Erythropoietin (EPO)?
Stimulates red blood cell production
What is one factor that contributes to the efficient transport of oxygen by erythrocytes?
Biconcave shape
What happens to the number of erythrocytes in the blood in response to tissue hypoxia?
Increases
What is the primary function of myeloid stem cells in erythropoiesis?
Transform into proerythroblasts
What is a unique characteristic of the plasma membrane of mature erythrocytes?
It lacks organelles
What is the primary advantage of the biconcave disk shape of erythrocytes in terms of gas exchange?
Increased proximity of cytoplasm to the surface
What percentage of an erythrocyte is composed of water?
3%
Why are erythrocytes efficient oxygen transporters?
They do not consume oxygen as they transport it
What allows erythrocytes to change shape as necessary?
The deformable spectrin net
What is the main reason erythrocytes are able to deform and spring back into shape?
The function of structural proteins
Learn about the structure and function of erythrocytes, also known as red blood cells (RBCs), including their size, shape, lack of nucleus, and key proteins present in the plasma membrane. Explore how these cells deform and maintain their shape.
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