Red+Blood+Cell+-+GS

=Introduction= Red blood cells are a vital component in the human body. Red blood cells deliver oxygen to the lungs and other parts of the body. Red blood cells are helpful in many other ways too. The structure of a red blood cell resemblances a jelly donut with center pushed in. Low red blood cell count can lead to a disease! =Why are red blood cells important?=

Red blood cells are very important in the human body.[3] Red blood cells or erythrocytes, are the most ab un dant cells in the blood stream. [5] Red blood cells are an important element of blood.[5] Their job is to transport oxygen to the body's tissues in exchange for carbon dioxide, which is carried to and eliminated by the lungs. Red blood cells can’t do the job on their own of course , [4] Red blood cells use the protein hemoglobin to transport oxygen. Bright Hub education says, [4] “ Red blood cells also known as erythrocytes are the river of life.”

hemoglobin- (a red protein responsible for transporting oxygen in the blood of vertebrates) =What are the functions of a red blood cell?=

Red blood cells are helpful in many ways. According to Healthhype.com, [3] “ Apart from carrying oxygen, which is the main function of red blood cell, it can also conduct the following functions.

1. Release the enzyme carbonic anhydrase which allows water in the blood to carry carbon dioxide to the lungs where it is expelled. 2.Control the pH of the blood by acting as an acid-base buffer.” But of course the most important function of the red blood cell is the transport of oxygen.

**enzyme carbonic anhydrase**- The carbonic anhydrases (or carbonate dehydratases) form a family of enzymes that catalyze the rapid interconversion of carbon dioxide and water to bicarbonate and protons (or vice versa), a reversible reaction that occurs relatively slowly in the absence of a catalyst.

This a diagram of the function of a red blood cell.

=Structure of a red blood cell=

[1] Red blood cells look like discs with their centers pushed in,[3] their pushed in centers make the cell thin in the middle, so red blood cells can bend and twist easily. The cells flexibility makes it easy to squeeze through small capillaries. Their structure makes their jobs easier. [3] A red blood cell measures about 6 to 8 micrometers in diameter (average = 7.8 um) with an average thickness of 2 micrometers (2.5 um at the thickest point and less than 1 um at the center). [5] Red blood cells are formed in the red bone marrow of bones. Stem cells in the red bone marrow called hemocytoblasts give rise to all of the formed elements in blood. If a hemocytoblast commits to becoming a cell called a proerythroblast, it will develop into a new red blood cell.

This is a diagram of the Red blood cell. As you can see the center is pushed in and thin in the middle and thick on the outside.

=Can diseases be caused by red blood cells? =

[6]”Low hemoglobin counts associated with diseases and conditions. A low hemoglobin count can be associated with a disease or condition that causes your body to have too few red blood cells. This can occur if: > >
 *  Your body produces fewer red blood cells than usual.
 * Your body destroys red blood cells faster than they can be produced.
 * You experience blood loss”

=Conclusion= Red blood cells are very important. Red blood cells use hemoglobin to transport oxygen to parts of the body. In addition they have many functions and an amazing structure, they look like discs with their centers pushed in. But, a low red blood cell count can make you ill. On the other hand they are known as the erythrocytes are the river of life.  Without red blood cells, no cell in the human body could function. =References=

Works Cited A.D.A.M. “Red Blood Cell Production.” MedlinePlus. A.D.A.M, 2016. Web. 9 Mar. 2016. . Blood Cells Cochran, 1997. Video Segment Discovery Education. Web. 17/2/2016. . Dr. Chris. “Red Blood Cells Functions, Size, Structure, Life Cycle, Pictures.” HealthHype.com. Healthhype.com, 2016. Web. 22 Feb. 2016. . Mayo Clinic staff. “Low Hemoglobin Count.” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic, 2016. Web. 9 Mar. 2016. . Padilla, Michael J., Ioannis Miaoulis, and Martha Cyr. Prentice Hall Science Explorer. Boston: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2007. Print. The Rosen. “Up close: the blood.” Power Knowledge. The Rosen, 2016. Web. 22 Feb. 2016. .

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