Red Blood Cell Structure and Function

Structure and Function

• Biconcave disk shape, flexible, and disk-shaped to increase surface area
• No nucleus, allowing for more hemoglobin and increasing oxygen-carrying capacity
• Cell membrane composed of lipids and proteins, providing flexibility and structure

Components

• Hemoglobin (Hb): protein that binds to oxygen, giving RBCs their red color
• Heme: iron-containing group within hemoglobin that binds to oxygen
• Globin: protein component of hemoglobin that helps stabilize the heme group

Formation and Lifespan

• Produced in bone marrow through erythropoiesis
• Lifespan: approximately 120 days in circulation
• Removed from circulation by spleen and liver through a process called eryptosis

Functions

• Oxygen transport: carries oxygen from lungs to body tissues
• Carbon dioxide transport: carries carbon dioxide from body tissues to lungs
• Buffering: helps regulate blood pH by buffering excess hydrogen ions

Abnormalities and Diseases

• Anemia: insufficient RBCs or hemoglobin, leading to inadequate oxygen delivery
• Sickle cell anemia: genetic disorder causing abnormal hemoglobin, leading to RBC deformation and premature destruction
• Thalassemia: genetic disorder affecting hemoglobin production, leading to anemia and other complications

Structure and Function of Red Blood Cells

• Red blood cells have a biconcave disk shape, which increases their surface area and allows for flexibility.
• The absence of a nucleus in red blood cells enables them to carry more hemoglobin and increase oxygen-carrying capacity.
• The cell membrane of red blood cells is composed of lipids and proteins, providing flexibility and structure.

Components of Hemoglobin

• Hemoglobin is a protein that binds to oxygen, giving red blood cells their red color.
• Heme is an iron-containing group within hemoglobin that binds to oxygen.
• Globin is a protein component of hemoglobin that helps stabilize the heme group.

Formation and Lifespan of Red Blood Cells

• Red blood cells are produced in bone marrow through a process called erythropoiesis.
• Red blood cells have a lifespan of approximately 120 days in circulation.
• The spleen and liver remove red blood cells from circulation through a process called eryptosis.

Functions of Red Blood Cells

• Red blood cells transport oxygen from the lungs to body tissues.
• Red blood cells transport carbon dioxide from body tissues to the lungs.
• Red blood cells help regulate blood pH by buffering excess hydrogen ions.

Abnormalities and Diseases of Red Blood Cells

• Anemia is a condition where there are insufficient red blood cells or hemoglobin, leading to inadequate oxygen delivery.
• Sickle cell anemia is a genetic disorder that causes abnormal hemoglobin, leading to red blood cell deformation and premature destruction.
• Thalassemia is a genetic disorder that affects hemoglobin production, leading to anemia and other complications.