Red blood cells, also known as erythrocytes, are responsible for transporting oxygen to the tissues of the body. The conversion of oxygen into energy results in the emission of carbon dioxide from your tissues. Your red blood cells are also responsible for transporting carbon dioxide to your lungs so that you can exhale it.
Functions of Red Blood Cell
Red blood cells are responsible for transporting oxygen from your lungs to the tissues in your body. They are found in every organ of your body. Your tissues generate energy from the oxygen they get and discharge waste, which is identifiable as carbon dioxide. It is your red blood cells that transport the carbon dioxide waste to your lungs so that you can exhale it. A red blood cell is responsible for transporting oxygen from the lungs to the tissues throughout your body. Cells generate energy by utilising oxygen.
Anatomy
- Red blood cells are produced in your body’s soft bone tissue (bone marrow), and they are released into your bloodstream once they have reached full maturity, which takes approximately seven days to complete
- Because of a protein that permits them to transport oxygen from your lungs and transfer it to other tissues in your body, red blood cells have a vivid red colour (haemoglobin)
- They are microscopic in size, and they have the shape of a flat disc or doughnut that is round with an indentation in the middle, but it is not hollow. Red blood cells are produced by the body and circulate throughout the body. As opposed to white blood cells, red blood cells do not include a nucleus, which allows them to alter shape and move more easily throughout the body
- Red blood cells are produced in the bone marrow of the body. Bone marrow is responsible for the formation of nearly all of the cells in your body. Haemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells that is important for transporting oxygen throughout the body
- Red blood cell situations are characterised by a low or a high red blood cell count, respectively
There are several medical diseases that might cause a low red blood cell count, including:
- Anaemia is a condition in which your blood contains less oxygen than normal, causing you to feel chilly, weary, and weak.
- There is an excess of blood cells lost by your body compared to the amount of blood cells produced.
- Bone marrow disorder is characterised by damage to the bone marrow, which is responsible for the production of red blood cells (leukaemia, lymphoma).
- Tumours and chemotherapy treatment for cancer: Certain tumours and chemotherapy treatment for cancer can have an impact on the quantity of red blood cells your body generates.
- Medical conditions that might cause a high red blood cell count include, but are not limited to:
A high red blood cell count can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
- Cigarettes are being smoked.
- Living at a high altitude has its advantages.
- Using performance-enhancing medications is a bad idea (anabolic steroids).
- Dehydration.
- Heart disease and lung illness are examples of medical conditions.
Conclusion
Red blood cells are produced in the bone marrow of the body. Bone marrow is responsible for the formation of nearly all of the cells in your body. Haemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells that is important for transporting oxygen throughout the body.