Help
Options
Didn't know it?
click below
click below
Knew it?
click below
click below
Don't Know
Remaining cards (0)
Know
retry
shuffle
restart
0:00
Embed Code - If you would like this activity on your web page, copy the script below and paste it into your web page.
Normal Size Small Size show me how
Normal Size Small Size show me how
Red Blood Cells
Briefly describe the structural and molecular features of the red blood cell and
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What are globulins? | Protein group to which antibodies belong |
| How long do RBCs circulate for before they are removed? | 120 days |
| What shape are RBCs? | Biconcave disc shaped |
| What does their shape give RBCs? | A large surface area in relation to their volume |
| How big is the RBCs nucleus? | They don't have one lol |
| What does the flexibility of the RBCs cell membrane allow? | allows the cell to easily squeeze through normal capillaries Although a red blood cell is wider than some capillaries, its flexibility allows it to become distorted as it squeezes through narrow passages and then restores to its original shape. |
| Why do RBCs have no nucleus or sub-cellular organelles? | RBCs have no nucleus or any other sub-cellular organelles - this leaves maximum space for the respiratory pigment haemoglobin (dark red) |
| What structural thing makes the RBC so flexible? | Inner surface contains actin - makes them flexible |
| Where are RBCs produced and by what process? | RBCs are produced in body marrow by the process of erythropoiesis |
| What process are RBCs produced by? | erythropoiesis |
| How is oxygen transported in the blood? | Oxygen is transported joined to haemoglobin as oxyhaemoglobin (bright red) |
| What else can haemoglobin carry? | O2 |
| What may the number of RBCs vary with? | The number of red blood cells may vary depending on geographical location – a person who lives in high altitudes will have more red blood cells. |
| What does a RBC lack? | Nucleus, mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum |
| What allows RBCs to produce small amounts of energy? | enzymes within the RBCs allow it to produce small amounts of energy (ATP from glucose) |
| What is the functional component of RBCs? | Haemoglobin |
| What is the stimulus for producing RBCs? | Hypoxia (low oxygen state) |
| As well as hypoxia what else needs to be there to stimulate the production of RBCs? | However, hypoxia alone will not be sufficient to trigger the production of new red blood cells unless the hormone erythropoietin is circulating in the bloodstream |
| What is the hormone erythropoietin produced by? | Kidneys |
| What happens to RBCs rather than being actively removed and where does this primarily happen? | Most of the red blood cells self destruct rather than being actively removed from the circulation and destroyed. The primary site where this occurs is in the spleen |
Created by:
Aimee76
Popular Medical sets