RED CELLS Meaning and
Definition
-
Red cells, also known as erythrocytes, are a vital component of the blood that play a crucial role in the transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the circulatory system of humans and other vertebrates. These microscopic, disc-shaped cells are characterized by their bright red color, which is primarily due to their high concentration of a protein called hemoglobin.
The primary function of red cells is to carry oxygen from the lungs to various tissues throughout the body. Hemoglobin, the molecule contained within red cells, binds with oxygen in the lungs and releases it in areas of the body where it is needed. Additionally, red cells assist in removing carbon dioxide, a waste product of cellular respiration, from the tissues and transporting it back to the lungs to be exhaled.
Red cells are produced in the bone marrow at a high rate, as they have a relatively short lifespan of about 120 days. The body constantly replenishes these cells to maintain a sufficient number in circulation. Diseases or conditions that affect the production or function of red cells can lead to anemia, a condition characterized by a decreased oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.
The measurement of red cell count, hemoglobin levels, and hematocrit (the percentage of red cells in relation to the total blood volume) is essential in diagnosing and monitoring various diseases, such as anemia, polycythemia (an excessive number of red cells), or other blood disorders.
Common Misspellings for RED CELLS
- eed cells
- ded cells
- fed cells
- ted cells
- 5ed cells
- 4ed cells
- rwd cells
- rsd cells
- rdd cells
- rrd cells
- r4d cells
- r3d cells
- res cells
- rex cells
- ref cells
- rer cells
- ree cells
- red xells
- red vells
- red fells
Etymology of RED CELLS
The term "red cells" refers to the red blood cells or erythrocytes in the human body. The etymology of the word "red" comes from the Old English word "read", which itself derives from the Proto-Germanic word "raudaz". In various other Germanic languages, the word shares a similar root, such as German "rot" and Dutch "rood". The color red has been associated with blood since ancient times due to its vividness and is widely used to describe the color of these specialized cells.
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
