Life Cycle of a Red Blood Cell

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The small intestine absorbs essential nutrients.

Blood transports nutrients to red bone marrow.

In the marrow, red blood cells arise from the division of less specialized progenitor cells.

Mature red blood cells are released into the bloodstream, where they circulate for about 120 days. Signup and view all the answers

Macrophages destroy damaged red blood cells in the spleen and liver. Signup and view all the answers

Hemoglobin liberated from red blood cells is broken down into heme and globin. Signup and view all the answers

Iron from heme returns to red bone marrow and is reused. Signup and view all the answers

Biliverdin and bilirubin are excreted in bile. Signup and view all the answers

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Nutrient absorption occurs in the small intestine, providing essential components for red blood cell formation.
Blood carries these nutrients to the red bone marrow, the site of red blood cell production.
Red blood cells originate in the marrow from the division of specialized progenitor cells, which differentiate into mature cells.
Mature red blood cells are released into the bloodstream, with a typical lifespan of approximately 120 days.
Damaged or old red blood cells are removed from circulation by macrophages located in the spleen and liver.
The hemoglobin from destroyed red blood cells is decomposed into two components: heme and globin.
Iron from the heme portion is salvaged and returned to the red bone marrow for reuse in new red blood cell synthesis.
Biliverdin and bilirubin, products of heme breakdown, are excreted in bile, playing a role in the elimination of waste products.