Erythrocyte

Definition

Erythrocytes, commonly known as red blood cells, are the most abundant type of blood cell responsible for transporting oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues and carbon dioxide from the tissues back to the lungs. They are characterized by their biconcave shape, which increases their surface area for gas exchange.

Related terms

Hemoglobin:

A protein within erythrocytes that binds oxygen and carbon dioxide, facilitating their transport.

Anemia:

A condition characterized by a deficiency in the number or quality of erythrocytes, leading to reduced oxygen transport to the body's tissues.

Hematopoiesis:

The process of forming new blood cells in the bone marrow, including erythrocytes