The Superior Red Blood Cell
Description of Cell:
Erythrocyte or the Red blood cell also known as RBC contrasted drastically from the stereotypical animal cell. To start of with RBC is not shaped as a sphere but instead is shown as a biconcave structure. With this shape it’s mainly composes itself with hemoglobin which helps this cell to deliver oxygen to tissues all throughout the body, and to shrink it’s size usually from 24 to 8 micrometers. Since this shape is for the purpose of storing hemoglobin, the cell has to deposit of all other organelles during it’s final stage of development this process is called hemoglobin synthesis.
Function of Cell:
Given RBC unusual shape, the cell gains three crucial functions plus a multitude of secondary functions. The first primary function is the ability for RBC’s to transfer oxygen to other tissues all over the body. Doing this by carrying oxygen with the hemoglobin allows each and every cell in the body to stay alive. The second vital function is the ability to prevent or restrict blood flow. Doing this by forming stacks of RBC these cells keep us from exsanguination. The third and final essential function for a Red blood cells is the ability to enter small capillaries. A mature blood cell has already lost all of its organelles. With this attribute fully matured RBC are able to bend and flex to be able to squeeze into capillaries as small as 4 micrometers to distribute oxygen equally.
Structure vs. Function
As we discussed in previous sections a Red blood cell job is very elementary to the fact where it can complete it with no organelles. Going through hemoglobin synthesis allows the Red blood cell to separate from its organelles to be able to store a max amount of Hemoglobin which helps to transfer as much oxygen to different tissues. Also with a lack of organelles the Red blood Cell is able to squeeze and bend in small capillaries and branches. Another plus of RBC’s biconcave shape is how it is able to stack together similar to diner plates to prevent blood flow.
Tissue Formation:
RBC is called a connective tissue for two reasons, because of its embryologically and because blood connects all the tissues together transporting oxygen and nutrients to other tissues. With blood accounting for 7-8 percent of body weight there are a possible 400 components that could be in your blood. Looking at the main ones, the top 4 components are Red blood cells that account for 40-50% of the blood, White blood cells that only account for 1% of blood, Platelets account for around 5% of blood and, finally Plasma counts for around 55% of blood.
