Erythrocytes

Question 1

What do RBCs do?

Answer 1

Transport oxygen

Question 2

What are RBCs called?

Answer 2

erythrocytes

Question 3

Where are RBCs formed and what is the process of forming them called?

Answer 3

Formed in red bone marrow, process is hematopoiesis

Question 4

What makes up the majority of the RB cell?

Answer 4

1/3 hemoglobin, which carries oxygen

Question 5

What makes RBCs different than other cells?

Answer 5

they have no nucleus + no mitochondria

Question 6

What is the hormone that stimulates RBC production?

Answer 6

EPO, and it’s a negative feedback system: when blood oxygen is low, RBCs produce

Question 7

What is the life cycle of an RBC?

Answer 7

Small intestine absorbs nutrients -> blood transports nutrients to bone -> RBCs produced in bone marrow -> RBCs circulate in bloodstream for 120 days -> macrophages (in white blood cells) break down old RBCs -> hepatocytes (liver cells) break down hemoglobin -> iron is recycled in bloodstream, biliverdin + bilirubin secreted in bile -> bile is secreted into small intestine