Red Blood Cells and Oxygen Transport Flashcards

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What is the main function of red blood cells?

To carry oxygen from the lungs to all the body cells.

What is the red pigment inside red blood cells, and what is its job?

Haemoglobin is the red pigment, and it binds to oxygen so it can be carried in the blood.

What is formed when oxygen combines with haemoglobin in the lungs?

Oxyhaemoglobin is formed when oxygen combines with haemoglobin in red blood cells.

Why do red blood cells have a biconcave disc shape?

Their biconcave shape gives them a large surface area, which speeds up the diffusion of oxygen in and out.

Why do human red blood cells not have a nucleus?

They do not have a nucleus so there is more space for haemoglobin, allowing them to carry more oxygen.

Why is it helpful that red blood cells are small and flexible?

This lets them squeeze through narrow capillaries and get very close to every body cell.

In which part of the body do red blood cells load oxygen, and where do they unload it?

They load oxygen in the lungs and unload it in body tissues that need oxygen.

How does oxygen move from the air in the lungs into red blood cells?

Oxygen diffuses across the thin walls of the alveoli and capillaries into the red blood cells, from a high to a low concentration.

Why is the joining of oxygen to haemoglobin described as a reversible reaction?

Because haemoglobin can pick up oxygen in the lungs and then release it again in the body tissues.

Why is oxygen transport by red blood cells vital for body cells?

Body cells need a constant supply of oxygen for aerobic respiration, which releases energy.