University:
Indiana University South Bend
Course:
BIOL-L 101 | Introduction to Biological Sciences
Academic year:

2021
Views:

17

Pages:

1
Author:

Rose G

ERYTHROCYTES Also called RED BLOODS CORPUSCLES/CELLS. →most abundant. →A healthy adult on an average has 5-5-5 million RBC's/mm³ of blood. →A healthy individual has 12-16 g of haemoglobin per 100 mL of blood. Iron is present in haemoglobin. →They have a life span of 4 moins (120 days). →Formation of RBC's is known as erythropoiesis. It occurs in the red bone marrow in adults and in a yolk sac in an embryo. →They Lack nucleus. Shape and structure: In most mammals, they are biconcave in shape. Although in camel and lama they are oval. •RBC's lack nucleus and other organelles as it helps provide. more room for oxygen binding pigment, haemoglobin. Due to the absence of mitochondria, they respire anaerobically and do not use up any of the oxygen they carry. RBC's also contain, enzyme carbonic anhydrase which plays a role in carbon dioxide transport. Functions: •Haemoglobin of erythrocytes play a significant role in transport of respiratory gases. Haemoglobin combines with 02 and forms oxy haemoglobin. Oxyhaemoglobin readily gives up its oxygen in the tissues where it is wed for breakdown of food. •They also transport carton dioxide from tissues to lungs. CO2 is carried as carbaming-haemoglobin.