Question

Write the structure of red blood corpuscles. Where do these cells originate and what are their function?

Answer 1

Blood

1. It is the fluid connective tissue in our body along with lymph.
2. Its main function is to supply oxygen to all the cells of the body.
3. Blood is made of multiple components; plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.

Red blood corpuscles:

1. These cells are also called erythrocytes.
2. They are the most abundant blood cells in our body.
3. There are about 4-5 million RBCs per cubic millimeter in our blood.
4. These are biconcave, or saucer-shaped cells and are enveloped by a semi-permeable membrane.
5. These cells give blood its peculiar red color.
6. These cells are devoid of a nucleus upon reaching maturity and also lose mitochondria and Golgi bodies.
7. This happens so that the cell can accommodate maximum oxygen-carrying molecules with the greatest efficiency.
8. Their cytoplasm is filled with the iron-containing pigment, hemoglobin.
9. Hemoglobin is responsible for the transport of oxygen in the blood.

Origin:

1. The RBCs are produced by the bone marrow of large bones.
2. The average lifespan of an RBC is 120 days.

Function of RBCs;

1. The main function of RBCs is to carry oxygen to all the cells of the body, by the virtue of hemoglobin.
2. They also take up carbon dioxide produced by cells as a result of metabolic activities and get it out of our system.