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[[Image:LH Erythrocyte Histology.jpg|thumb|right|150px|<p>'''Erythrocytes'''</p><sup> ©RVC 2008</sup>]]
[[Image:LH Erythrocyte Histology.jpg|thumb|right|150px|<p>'''Erythrocytes'''</p><sup> ©RVC 2008</sup>]]
''Commonly called red blood cells (RBCs)''
Also known as '''''red blood cells (RBCs)
<p>Erythrocytes deliver oxygen to, and remove carbon dioxide from tissues.</p>
<p>Erythrocytes deliver oxygen to, and remove carbon dioxide from tissues.</p>
==Development==
==Development==
<p>Erythrocytes are small (4-8µm), circular, anucleate biconcave cells that lack organelles. </p>
<p>Erythrocytes are small (4-8µm), circular, anucleate biconcave cells that lack organelles. </p>
<p>The cell's membrane is a lipid bilayer which contains two different protein groups. Integral membrane proteins, which make up most of the proteins, and peripheral membrane proteins. The arrangement of these proteins makes the membrane elastic but stable and contributes towards the biconcave shape.</p>
<p>The cell's membrane is a lipid bilayer which contains two different protein groups. Integral membrane proteins, which make up most of the proteins, and peripheral membrane proteins. The arrangement of these proteins makes the membrane elastic but stable and contributes towards the biconcave shape.</p>
The biconcave shape increases the cell's surface area by 20-30%, thereby increasing the probability of oxygen binding with the haemoglobin molecule within the RBC.
===Birds===
===Birds===
In birds erythrocytes are ovoid and contain a nucleus.
In birds erythrocytes are ovoid and contain a nucleus.
===Haemoglobin===
==Function==
RBCs contain haemoglobin, an oxygen binding protien that is responsible for the transport of oxygen from the lungs to tissues, and the transportation of carbon dioxide from the tissues to the lungs for release.
[[Image:LH Hb Animation.gif|thumb|right|250px|<p>Blue(α) & orange(β) are globin chains</p><p>Red objects represent haem groups</p>]]
[[Image:LH Hb Animation.gif|thumb|right|250px|<p>Blue(α) & orange(β) are globin chains</p><p>Red objects represent haem groups</p>]]
''Or hemoglobin. Shortened to Hb''
''Or hemoglobin. Shortened to Hb''
===Antigens===
===Antigens===
==Degradation==
==Degradation==
[[Image:Haem Breakdown.jpg|center|thumb|350px|<div style="text-align: center;"><p>'''Haem breakdown pathway'''</p><sup>©Nottingham Uni 2008</sup></div>]]
[[Image:Haem Breakdown.jpg|center|thumb|350px|<div style="text-align: center;"><p>'''Haem breakdown pathway'''</p><sup>©Nottingham Uni 2008</sup></div>]]
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