Red Blood Cell
Contents
Key Stage 3
Meaning
A red blood cell is a specialised cell which carries oxygen around the body.
Adaptations of Red Blood Cells
- Red blood cells are shaped to fit through capillaries without getting stuck.
- Red blood cells are shaped to have a large surface area.
- Red blood cells have no nucleus to provide a bigger volume inside to store oxygen.
About Red Blood Cells
- Blood is a tissue made of plasma, white blood cells and red blood cells.
- Red blood cells are specially adapted to transfer oxygen around the body.
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Key Stage 4
Meaning
A red blood cell is a specialised animal cell used to transport oxygen around the body.
Adaptations of Red Blood Cells
- Red blood cells have a biconcave shape which maximises their surface area to allow oxygen to be absorbed quickly.
- Red blood cells have a smooth rounded edge to pass through the capillaries without getting stuck.
- Red blood cells have a large number of haemoglobin molecules used to transport oxygen.
- Red blood cells have lost their nucleus to allow extra space for haemoglobin molecules.
About Red Blood Cells
- Red blood cells make up about 45% of the blood.
- Red blood cells carry oxygen in their haemoglobin molecules.
- Red blood cells are made in the bone marrow.
- When red blood cells die they are broken into small pieces called platelets which help the blood clot when there is an open wound.
- If a person suffers from Sickle Cell Anemia the red blood cells are sickle shaped so they can become stuck in capillaries.
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| A diagram showing the percentages of the different parts that make up blood. |
References
AQA
- Red blood cell, pages 86, 89, 107, 116-7, 118, 149, 253, GCSE Biology; Student Book, Collins, AQA
- Red blood cells, page 32, GCSE Combined Science; The Revision Guide, CGP, AQA
- Red blood cells, page 36, GCSE Biology; The Revision Guide, CGP, AQA
- Red blood cells, page 80, GCSE Combined Science Trilogy; Biology, CGP, AQA
- Red blood cells, page 86, GCSE Biology, CGP, AQA
- Red blood cells, pages 34, 55, GCSE Biology, Hodder, AQA
- Red blood cells, pages 52, 61, GCSE Biology; Third Edition, Oxford University Press, AQA
- Red blood cells, pages 54-5, GCSE Combined Science Trilogy 1, Hodder, AQA
Edexcel
- Red blood cells (erythrocytes), page 157, GCSE Chemistry, Pearson, Edexcel
- Red blood cells (erythrocytes), page 167, GCSE Biology, Pearson, Edexcel
- Red blood cells, page 262, GCSE Biology, CGP, Edexcel
- Red blood cells, page 61, GCSE Combined Science; The Revision Guide, CGP, Edexcel
- Red blood cells, page 89, GCSE Biology; The Revision Guide, CGP, Edexcel