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Related Concept Videos

Protein Buffers in Blood Plasma and Cells01:20

Protein Buffers in Blood Plasma and Cells

The human body utilizes protein buffer systems to maintain a stable pH. These systems capitalize on the dual role of amino acids, which can act as acids or bases by accepting or releasing hydrogen ions in response to pH changes. Protein buffer systems are particularly significant in the extracellular fluid (ECF) and intracellular fluid (ICF) of active cells, where structural and functional proteins provide substantial buffering capacity.
Certain amino acids can exist in a zwitterion state at a...
pH Regulation in Cells01:28

pH Regulation in Cells

pH plays a critical role in maintaining normal cellular activities. It helps maintain the structure and function of various proteins, dictates the charge on cellular membranes, and is crucial for metabolic reactions inside the cell. Moreover, cells use the energy from the proton motive force to generate ATP.
Cytosolic pH
Under physiological conditions, the cytosolic pH is slightly more acidic than the extracellular pH. However, cells must prevent further acidification of their cytosol to...
Hemoglobin01:24

Hemoglobin

Hemoglobin is a globular protein made up of four subunits. Two of these subunits are alpha chains, and the other two are beta chains. Each subunit contains a molecule of heme, which has an iron atom and can bind to oxygen. When an oxygen molecule binds to one heme group, it changes the shape of hemoglobin, making it easier for the other heme groups to bind oxygen as well.
When all four heme groups are bound to oxygen, the resulting molecule is called oxyhemoglobin. As a result, arterial blood...
Carbon Dioxide Transport in the Blood01:19

Carbon Dioxide Transport in the Blood

Carbon dioxide (CO2) transport in the blood is critical to human physiology. On average, our body cells produce around 200 mL of CO2 per minute, precisely the quantity expelled by the lungs. This process involves the transportation of CO2 from the tissue cells to the lungs in three primary forms.
Forms of CO2 Transport
1. Dissolved in plasma: A small percentage (7-10%) of CO2 is transported and dissolved directly in the plasma.
2. Carbaminohemoglobin: Just over 20% of CO2 is chemically bound to...
Oxygen Transport in the Blood01:27

Oxygen Transport in the Blood

Hemoglobin (Hb) is a crucial molecule in the human body, consisting of four polypeptide chains, each bound to an iron-containing heme group. This unique structure enables hemoglobin to bind to oxygen, with each molecule capable of combining with four molecules of oxygen, leading to rapid and reversible oxygen loading. When fully loaded with oxygen, it is called oxyhemoglobin, while hemoglobin that has released oxygen is called reduced hemoglobin or deoxyhemoglobin. As hemoglobin binds oxygen,...
Lifecycle of Erythrocytes01:22

Lifecycle of Erythrocytes

Erythrocytes, also known as red blood cells, constantly move through blood capillaries. As a result, they damage their plasma membrane due to the continuous friction. Typically, after 100 to 120 days, erythrocytes become rigid and fragile as they wear out. As they pass through small vessels in the spleen and liver, they can get trapped and break apart into fragments.
The resident phagocytic macrophages deal with these damaged cells by engulfing them and separating their globin and heme groups.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 7, 2026

Immunostaining-Based Detection of Dynamic Alterations in Red Blood Cell Proteins
10:07

Immunostaining-Based Detection of Dynamic Alterations in Red Blood Cell Proteins

Published on: March 17, 2023

Hydrogen ion dynamics in human red blood cells.

Pawel Swietach1, Teresa Tiffert, Jakob M A Mauritz

  • 1Department of Physiology, Burdon Sanderson Cardiac Science Centre, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK. pawel.swietach@dpag.ox.ac.uk

The Journal of Physiology
|October 22, 2010
PubMed
Summary

Directly measuring red blood cell (RBC) intracellular pH (pH(i)) reveals tight regulation by the AE1 transporter, influenced by cell volume. This method offers new insights into RBC physiology and pathology.

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Last Updated: Jun 7, 2026

Immunostaining-Based Detection of Dynamic Alterations in Red Blood Cell Proteins
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Analyzing Protein Dynamics Using Hydrogen Exchange Mass Spectrometry
11:37

Analyzing Protein Dynamics Using Hydrogen Exchange Mass Spectrometry

Published on: November 29, 2013

Area of Science:

  • Red blood cell physiology
  • Cellular pH regulation
  • Membrane transport mechanisms

Background:

  • Understanding red blood cell (RBC) intracellular pH (pH(i)) has relied on indirect methods.
  • Direct in situ measurements are crucial for accurate physiological insights.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To establish a reliable method for direct measurement of human RBC pH(i).
  • To investigate the mechanisms and regulation of pH(i) in RBCs.
  • To explore the relationship between RBC volume and pH(i).

Main Methods:

  • Utilized carboxy-SNARF-1, a pH fluorophore, with confocal imaging and flow cytometry.
  • Employed a 'null-point' calibration procedure for accurate intracellular fluorescence readings.
  • Simultaneously monitored pH(i) and cell volume markers.

Main Results:

  • Established mean pH(i) values in different buffer conditions (7.25 in CO(2)/HCO(3)(-), 7.15 in Hepes).
  • Demonstrated that RBC pH(i) recovery from acid/base loads is primarily mediated by Cl(-)/HCO(3)(-) exchange (AE1).
  • Revealed a functional link between membrane ion transport, cell volume, and pH(i), with AE1 activity not allosterically regulated by pH(i).

Conclusions:

  • Direct pH(i) measurement in RBCs is feasible and reliable using carboxy-SNARF-1.
  • AE1 is the primary transporter responsible for RBC pH(i) regulation.
  • RBC pH(i) is tightly regulated by AE1 but modulated by cell volume changes, a link potentially relevant to other cell types.