Red Blood Cells | Formation and Function:

Red Blood Cells are otherwise called erythrocytes. Erythrocyte is derived from the Greek word erythros means ‘red’ and kytos means ‘hollow vessel’. Erythrocytes are circular biconcave nonnucleated discs with a diameter is about 7 microns. RBC is red due to the presence of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the protein used to carry oxygen and other essential nutrients.

Formation of Red Blood Cells:

All blood cells originate from pluripotent stem cells and undergo several developing stages before entering the blood.

Stages of Red Blood Cell formation:

Pluripotent stem cells:

Pluripotent stem cells can divide and differentiate into any type of three embryonic layers that can form specialized body cells or tissues. Three embryonic layers are endoderm, mesoderm, and ectoderm. Especially the mesoderm layer is responsible for the formation of blood cells.

Proerythroblast:

These are also called pronormoblast. Proerythroblasts are larger cells with basophilic, round nuclei, agranular, and have high nuclear-cytoplasmic ratios. Proerythroblasts are the earlier erythroid precursor and give rise to basophilic erythroblasts.

Basophilic erythroblast:

Basophilic erythroblasts are also known as basophilic normoblasts. These are formed by the mitotic cell division from proerythroblast. Basophilic erythroblasts are smaller than proerythroblasts, with more condensed chromatin and lower nuclear-cytoplasmic ratios. Basophilic erythroblasts form large amounts of ribosomes. In this stage, hemoglobin has been synthesized.

Reticulocyte:

Reticulocytes are the immature red blood cells produced from the bone marrow and released in the peripheral blood. These reticulocytes matured into RBCs within 1 to 2 days.

Erythrocyte:

Erythrocytes are matured red blood cells. It is the final stage of RBC production. It is red due to the presence of hemoglobin.

Normal range and life span of Red Blood Cells:

Red Blood Cell count:

Male – 4.5 to 6.5 million/mm3

Female– 4.5 to 5 million/mm3

Hemoglobin:

This is weight of hemoglobin in whole blood, measured in grams per 100ml.

Male – 13 to 18 g/100ml

Female – 11.5 to 16.5 g/100ml

The life span of Red Blood Cells:

The normal life span of Red Blood Cells is about 110 -120 days and the newborn has 60 to 90 days. After the end of their life span, they are engulfed by the macrophages.

Functions of Red Blood Cells:

Transportation of gases:

RBC’s main function is to transport oxygen from the lungs to the whole body cells and tissues.

It also excretes carbon dioxide from the body.

Transport essential nutrients:

Digested food was absorbed through the walls of the small intestine and the nutrients such as glucose, amino acids, and fatty acids were transported by blood bloodstream to various cells used as energy.

Determination of blood groups:

Red Blood Cells carry blood grouping antigens like A, B, O, etc. These are used to know about a person’s blood type and to prevent agglutination due to incompatible blood transfusion.

Disease-associated with lack of Red Blood Cells:

Anemia: Anemia is a condition described by a lack of red platelets or hemoglobin, prompting a decreased oxygen-conveying limit of the blood. There are different kinds of paleness, like iron-inadequacy frailty, vitamin B12 lack weakness, and sickle cell pallor.

Sickle Cell Illness: Sickle cell infection is a hereditary problem that makes red platelets become inflexible and bow molded. This can prompt blockages in veins, causing torment, organ harm, and different confusions.

Thalassemia: Thalassemia is a gathering of acquired blood problems that influence the development of hemoglobin, prompting sickliness. It can bring about a diminished number of red platelets and a lower measure of hemoglobin in the blood.

Polycythemia: Polycythemia is a condition where there is an unusual expansion in the quantity of red platelets. This can prompt thicker blood, expanding the gamble of blood clusters, stroke, and different complexities.

Hemolytic Weakness: Hemolytic pallor happens when red platelets are obliterated more rapidly than the body can supplant them. This can be because of different variables, including immune system issues, acquired conditions, or certain meds.

Aplastic anemia: Aplastic anemia is an interesting problem where the bone marrow neglects to create sufficient platelets, including red platelets. This can bring about weakness, expanded defenselessness to contaminations, and different side effects.

Paroxysmal Nighttime Hemoglobinuria (PNH): PNH is an interesting, procured problem where red platelets are more inclined to obliteration, prompting hemolysis. This can cause side effects like exhaustion, stomach torment, and dull pee.

G6PD Lack: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) inadequacy is an acquired condition that can prompt the untimely obliteration of red platelets, causing hemolytic weakness. Certain meds and diseases can set off episodes of hemolysis in people with G6PD lack.

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