RBCs - Red Blood Cells

RBC - Red Blood Cells - Erythrocytes 

Hello everyone! Today we are going to learn about the RBC's present in all our human bodies.

Blood: What is Blood?

Blood is a fluid present in all human bodies and most animals. The blood helps in transporting necessary substances, like nutrients and oxygen to the cells and the lungs of the animal and  blood transports metabolic wastes away from the cells of the animal. The blood will carry antibodies and fight the infections present inside our body. 

Hemoglobin is a protein present in the RBC's (Red Blood Cells) of the animals. The Hemoglobin will help in oxygen transfer to the body and the Hemoglobin will give blood its red colour.

What are the components of blood? 

The components of blood are:

• RBC's (Red Blood Cells)
• WBC's
• Platelets
• Plasma

RBC's (Red Blood Cells):

We can say RBC's also as Red Blood Cells.

The scientific name of Red Blood Cells are "Erythrocytes". Do you know why the RBC's are Red in colour? It is because hemoglobin is present inside the Erythrocytes. Hemoglobin helps in transporting of gases.

In hemoglobin:

• Hemo - A ring structure containing iron 
• Globin - Protein

When there are too much of Erythrocytes in our body, it will cause problems also. It is because the Erythrocytes can cause the blood to be thicken and move slowly. When the count of RBC's got larger in our body it is known as "Polycythemia".

If the amount of RBC's gets low in our body, the kidney will create an hormone called as "Erythropoietin". Erythropoietin will stimulates the bone marrow to produce RBC's. When the count of RBC's got less in our body it is known as "anemia". 

The process of the production of Erythrocytes is known as "Erythropoiesis".

 The lifespan of RBC's is 120 days. So, the erythrocytes will die after 120 days. The grave yard of Red Blood Cells is known as "Spleen". 

The Erythrocytes are produced in the bone marrow, which is present in the bones.

Do you know why the RBC's have a curved shape?

It is because RBC's do not have a nucleus. They don't have a nucleus because it will need space for Oxygen.

Thank you!