Erythrocyte - red blood cell

3D Model

Red blood cells – erythrocytes – are cells reduced to the bare essentials. Some argue that they should no longer be considered as cells. They carry no genetic information, they have no mitochondria and are incapable of protein synthesis. Stripped of organelles they are instead exquisitely optimised for delivering oxygen throughout the body. To perform this task, the cell is adapted to three main functions: transporting oxygen; protecting haemoglobin from oxidation; maintaining osmotic balance. The key to the first lies in its unique shape which allows optimal gas exchange and enables cells to squeeze through microcapillaries. The other features are primarily determined by its specialised metabolic systems which are actually directly linked to cell shape. Find out more at my ‘Drawing blood’ pages