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What are the differences between red blood cells and white blood cells?
Posted November 20, 2023
Answer
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 |
Types | One types | Many types:
|
Percentage of human blood | Make up about 36% to 50% of human blood | Make up about 1% of human blood |
Count per mm3of blood | 5 million/ mm³ of blood | 7000–8000/mm³ of blood |
Condition caused by low count | Anemia | Leukopenia |