Erythrocytes

Erythrocytes (red blood cells, rbc's) are the most common type of cell in the circulation. There are about 5 x 10^12 erythrocytes/L of blood in a healthy individual. Red cells carry gasses, primarily oxygen, by virtue of their large stores of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin also gives erythrocytes their characteristic red color. Adult erythrocytes are fairly consistent both in appearance and in size (about 7 micrometers in diameter) and so often may be used as a reference by which to judge the size and color of other cell.

Below are slides of:

• Adult red blood cells
• Infant blood
• Erythropoiesis
• Abnormal red blood cells

This page is always under construction.

If you need more information, the best place on the internet to search is usually the National Library of Medicine.

by Robert McLay