erythrocytes

Question 1

what is the function of erythrocytes?

Answer 1

to transport oxygen from the lungs to the body (via oxygenated blood)

Question 2

where are erythrocytes produced?

Answer 2

they are produced in the bone marrow and destroyed in the spleen and liver (to recycle haemoglobin and erythrocytes)

Question 3

what is the composition of erythrocytes in human blood?

Answer 3

it constitutes 99% of cells in the blood

Question 4

what is the lifespan of erythrocytes?

Answer 4

they have a lifespan of 120 days, due to the lack of nucleus that prevents repair and division in cells

Question 5

what happens when carbon monoxide binds is exposed to erythrocytes

Answer 5

1. carbon monoxide which is odourless, binds tightly with haemoglobin to form carboxybaemoglobin, which is inactivated.
   2, less haemoglobin is available to bind with oxygen , resulting in less oxygen transport around the body

Question 6

what causes sickle cell anaemia?

Answer 6

it happens when the gene that codes for haemoglobin mutates and produces a protein that is hydrophobic and polymerises to form a sickle shape, reducing surface area to volume ratio for oxygen to bind to haemoglobin

Question 7

how does sickle cell anaemia affect the body?

Answer 7

it results in reduced oxygen flow around the body, and the sickle cell shape may clog blood vessels, resulting in organ swelling