FACTS ABOUT

RED BLOOD CELLS

HISTORY
The first person to describe red blood
cells was the young Dutch biologist Jan
Swammerdam, who had used an early
microscope in 1658 to study the blood of
a frog.[6] Unaware of this work, Anton
van Leeuwenhoek provided another
microscopic description in 1674, this time
providing a more precise description of
red blood cells, even approximating their
size, "25,000 times smaller than a fine
grain of sand".
In 1901, Karl Landsteiner published his
discovery of the three main blood
groupsA, B, and C (which he later
renamed to O). Landsteiner described
the regular patterns in which reactions
occurred when serum was mixed with
red blood cells, thus identifying
compatible and conflicting combinations
between these blood groups. A year later
Alfred von Decastello and Adriano Sturli,
two colleagues of Landsteiner, identified
a fourth blood groupAB.
Functional Lifetime
The functional lifetime of an
erythrocyte is about 100120 days,
during which time the erythrocytes
are continually moved by the blood
flow push (in arteries), pull (in veins)
and a combination of the two as they
squeeze through microvessels such
as capillaries.
Red blood cells have the important job
of carrying oxygen around the body.

Blood makes up around 7% of the
weight of a human body.

Blood contains red blood cells, white
blood cells and platelets.

Blood plasma is made up
of 90% water and also
contains various nutrients,
electrolytes, gases,
proteins, glucose and
hormones.
Blood plasma can be
separated from the cells
by spinning blood in a
device known as a
centrifuge until the cells
collect at the bottom of
the tube.
Red blood cells
develop in bone
marrow and circulate
in the body for around
120 days.

Platelets help blood clot in order to
limit bleeding when your skin is cut.
Blood clots can occasionally have
negative effects, if they form in blood
vessels going to the brain they can
cause a stroke while clotting in a
blood vessel going to the heart can
lead to a heart attack
As well as delivering important
substances to our cells, blood
also helps take away
unwanted waste products.

Foods rich in iron help you maintain healthy
red blood cells. Vitamins are also necessary
to build healthy red blood cells. These include
vitamin E, found in foods such as dark green
vegetables, nuts and seeds, mango, and
avocados; vitamins B2, B12, and B3, found in
foods such as eggs, whole grains, and
bananas; and folate, available in fortified
cereals, dried beans and lentils, orange juice,
and green leafy vegetables.
Illnesses of the red blood cells

Most people don't think about their red
blood cells unless they have a
disease that affects these cells.
Problems with red blood cells can be
caused by illnesses or a lack of iron or
vitamins in your diet. Some diseases
of the red blood cells are inherited.
Diseases of the red blood cells
include many types of Anemia, a
condition in which your body can't
produce enough normal red blood
cells to carry sufficient oxygen
throughout the body. People with
anemia may have red blood cells that
have an unusual shape or that look
normal, larger than normal, or smaller
than normal.
The human body needs iron to help
perform a number of important
functions. Iron helps carry oxygen to
parts of your body in the form of
hemoglobin. Not having enough can
lead to iron deficiency and
symptoms such as weakness and
fatigue.
Blood Disorders Affecting
Red Blood Cells


Anemia :
People with anemia have a low
number of red blood cells. Mild
anemia often causes no
symptoms. More severe
anemia can cause fatigue, pale
skin, and shortness of breath
with exertion.
Iron-deficiency anemia:
Iron is necessary for the body
to make red blood cells. Low
iron intake and loss of blood
due to menstruation are the
most common causes of iron-
deficiency anemia. Treatment
includes iron pills, or rarely,
blood transfusion.

Anemia of chronic disease:
People with chronic kidney disease or
other chronic diseases tend to
develop anemia. Anemia of chronic
disease does not usually require
treatment. Injections of a synthetic
hormone (Epogen, Procrit) to
stimulate the production of blood cells
or blood transfusions may be
necessary in some people with this
form of anemia.
Pernicious anemia
(B12deficiency):
An autoimmune condition that
prevents the body from
absorbing enough B12 in the
diet. Besides anemia, nerve
damage (neuropathy) can
eventually result. High doses of
B12 prevent long-term
problems.
Aplastic anemia:
In people with aplastic anemia, the
bone marrow does not produce
enough blood cells, including red
blood cells. A viral infection, drug side
effect, or an autoimmune condition
can cause aplastic anemia. Blood
transfusions, and even a bone
marrow transplant, may be required
to treat aplastic anemia
Sickle cell anemia:
A genetic condition that
affects mostly African-
Americans. Periodically, red
blood cells change shape,
and block blood flow. Severe
pain and organ damage can
occur.
Polycythemia vera :
The body produces too many
blood cells, from an unknown
cause. The excess red blood
cells usually create no
problems but may cause blood
clots in some people.
Autoimmune hemolytic anemia:
In people with this condition, an
overactive immune system
destroys the body's own red blood
cells, causing anemia. Medicines
that suppress the immune system,
such as prednisone, may be
required to stop the process.
Thalassemia:
This is a genetic form of
anemia that mostly affects
people of Mediterranean
heritage. Most people have no
symptoms and require no
treatment. Others may need
regular blood transfusions to
relieve anemia symptoms.

Malaria:
A mosquito's bite transmits a parasite into
a person's blood, where it infects red
blood cells. Periodically, the red blood
cells rupture, causing fever, chills, and
organ damage. This blood infection is
most common in Africa; those traveling to
Africa are at risk and should take
preventive measures. Malaria was
eradicated from the U.S. in the 1940s.