#erythrocytes notes

[er-cryptid]

Erythrocytes

-- red blood cells

-- biconcave shape

-- shape provides greater surface area and flexibility

-- lacks a nucleus

-- contains hemoglobin

-- globin = structural protein composed of four polypeptide chains, each containing a heme group

-- heme group = iron-containing functional part of hemoglobin

-- new cells are produced at a rate of 2 million per second

-- cells live for about 120 days

-- new cell division is controlled by erythropoietin

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