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Red Blood Cell

1,166 bytes added, 14:43, 7 November 2018
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==Key Stage 4==
===Meaning===
A '''red blood cell''' is a [[Specialised Animal Cell|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|surface area]] to allow [[oxygen]] to be [[Absorb (Biology)|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]] [[molecule]]s used to transport [[oxygen]].
: '''Red blood cells''' have lost their [[Cell Nucleus|nucleus]] to allow extra space for [[haemoglobin]] [[molecule]]s.
 
===About Red Blood Cells===
: '''Red blood cells''' carry [[oxygen]] in their [[haemoglobin]] [[molecule]]s.
: '''Red blood cells''' are made in the [[Bone Marrow|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]].