19.3 RBCs Flashcards
hemoglobin (Hb)
% of RBC proteins
red pigment that binds and transports oxygen & CO2. Hb accounts for 95% of RBC’s intracellular proteins
RBC count
in males? females?
number of RBCs per microliter
males: 4.5-6.3 million RBCs
females: 4.2-5.5 million RBCs
blood of an average adult contains ___ RBCs
25 trillion
RBCs account for ___ of cells in the human body
1/3
rouleaux
stacks of red blood cells formed in narrow blood vessels
RBC diameter
7.8 micrometers
RBC thickness
2.85 micrometers
center narrows to .8 micrometers
lifespan of RBC
<120 days
because RBC’s lack _____ & _____ they cannot divide or synthesize structural proteins
nuclei and ribosomes
RBCs also lack _____, so they obtain energy through anaerobic metabolism of glucose
mitochondria
nromal ranges of Hb content (males/females)
male: 14-18 g/dl
female: 12-16 g/dl
Hb structure
- quaternary
- 2 alpha chains, 2 beta chains
- each chain is a globular protein subunit and contains single molecule of heme
heme
non-protein pigment complex
-holds iron ion, interacts w/ oxygen to form oxyhemoglobin (HbO2)
oxyhemoglobin (HbO2)
hemoglobin molecule whose iron is bound to oxygen
-bright red
deoxyhemoglobin (HbO2)
hemoglobin molecule whose iron is not bound to oxygen
-dark red
fetal hemoglobin
binds to oxygen more readily, can “steal” oxygen from maternal bloodstream
hydroxyurea/butyrate
stimulate production of fetal hemoglobin in adults
each RBC contains ______ Hb molecules
280 million
carbaminohemoglobin
Hb bound to CO2