RED BLOOD CELL (also called as Erythrocyte or Erythroplastids)

Red Cell Profile

Highly specialized cell responsible for 

oxygen and carbon dioxide transport. 

Highly specialized cell responsible for oxygen and carbon dioxide transport.

RBC Membrane

ØShape - biconcave disc 

É40% lipids

É52% protein

É8% carbohydrate

ØPrimary physiologic functions

Éfacilitates O2-CO2 transport

ÐBlood buffer

ÐWaste disposal

ÉMaintain deformability

ÉKeeper of surface antigens

ØProteins

Éperipheral

Ðalpha & beta spectrin

×bands 1 & 2

Ðactin

Éintegral (lots of sialic acid)

Ðglycophorin A

Ðband 3

×inorganic anion transport channel

×cation pump regulates Na+/K+ at ratios 1:12/25:1

ØLipids

Éphospholipids

Ðlipid bilayer

Éunesterified cholesterol

Ðfacilitates selective cation permeability

Ð1:1 equilibrium w/plasma cholesterol

×increases in membrane cholesterol = target cells!!