Red Blood Cell
Contents
Key Stage 3
Meaning
A red blood cell is 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 Cell|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 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.