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What are the differences between red blood cells and white blood cells?
Posted November 20, 2023
Basis of differentiation |
Red blood cells |
White blood cells |
|
Definition |
biconcave shaped cells found in blood, transports oxygen and co2 to and from the lungs |
cell that function as immune cells, fights infections and injury |
|
Also known as |
Erythrocytes |
Leukocytes |
|
Color |
Red due to presence of hemoglobin |
Colorless |
|
Shape |
Biconcave, discoid shape |
Irregular shape |
|
Size |
Small- range in size from 6 µm to 8 µm in diameter |
Large – range in size from 12 µm to 17 µm in diameter |
|
Nucleus |
Absent on maturity |
Large central nucleus |
|
Components |
Hemoglobin |
Antibodies with the presence of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigen cell markers |
|
Function |
Transport oxygen from the lungs to the peripheral tissues in the body and transport carbon dioxide from the tissue to the lungs for elimination |
Produce antibodies to protect the body from disease-causing microbes
|
|
Origin |
Red bone marrow |
Red bone marrow, spleen, and lymph nodes |
|
Lifespan |
About 120 days |
About 12 – 20 days |
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Types |
One types |
Many types:
|
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Percentage of human blood |
Make up about 36% to 50% of human blood |
Make up about 1% of human blood |
|
Count per mm3 of blood |
5 million/ mm³ of blood |
7000–8000/mm³ of blood |
|
Condition caused by low count |
Anemia |
Leukopenia |