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Related Concept Videos

Disorders of Erythrocytes01:27

Disorders of Erythrocytes

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Disorders of erythrocytes, or red blood cells (RBCs), include a range of conditions affecting their number, shape, or function.
Erythrocyte disorders can be broadly categorized into two main types: anemic and polycythemic conditions.
A low oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood due to the loss, lower production, or destruction of erythrocytes is termed anemia. Hemorrhagic anemia, for example, occurs when bleeding from an external wound or internal ulcer reduces erythrocyte counts.
On the other...
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Factors Affecting Erythropoiesis01:24

Factors Affecting Erythropoiesis

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The cardiovascular system regulates the number of erythrocytes in the bloodstream to ensure optimal oxygen transport. It also prevents over-proliferation of these cells, which helps to maintain blood viscosity and flow rate.
Several factors influence the erythrocyte production rate, with tissue oxygen level being among the most critical. Intense exercise or high altitudes can cause tissue hypoxia, which triggers the kidneys to release more erythropoietin (EPO) into the bloodstream.
EPO then...
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Lifecycle of Erythrocytes01:22

Lifecycle of Erythrocytes

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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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Erythropoiesis01:14

Erythropoiesis

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Red blood cells  (RBCs) transport oxygen to all body tissues. These cells survive only for 120 days and then need to be replenished. Erythropoiesis is the process of RBC production. In healthy individuals, erythropoiesis ensures all tissues are amply supplied with oxygen. In addition, blood loss due to injury leads to a drop in the physiological oxygen level that will cause erythropoiesis. Any defect in erythropoiesis leads to several physiological disorders, including thalassemia, anemia,...
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Structure and Function of Erythrocytes01:29

Structure and Function of Erythrocytes

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There are between 4.2 and 6 million erythrocytes, also known as red blood cells, in every microliter of blood. These cells are small, flattened biconcave discs with centers that are depressed.
The erythrocyte plasma membrane is associated with proteins such as spectrin, which forms a flexible cytoplasmic meshwork. This meshwork allows erythrocytes to twist, turn, become cup-shaped, and regain their biconcave shape as they pass through narrow capillaries. Additionally, erythrocytes can form...
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Oxygen Transport in the Blood01:27

Oxygen Transport in the Blood

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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,...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 17, 2026

Measuring Deformability and Red Cell Heterogeneity in Blood by Ektacytometry
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Measuring Deformability and Red Cell Heterogeneity in Blood by Ektacytometry

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Erythrocyte Deformability is Reduced and Fragility increased by Iron Deficiency.

C Anderson1, I Aronson1, P Jacobs1

  • 1a The Leukaemia Centre and the Department of Haematology , University of Cape Town and Groote Schuur Hospital , Observatory , Cape Town , 8000 , South Africa.

Hematology (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
|July 19, 2016
PubMed
Summary

Iron deficiency anemia reduces red blood cell deformability and increases fragility, impacting red cell survival. Oral iron supplementation corrects these physical defects, improving red cell lifespan and anemia symptoms.

Keywords:
Iron deficientarterial thrombosisektacytometryincreased fragmentationparadoxical hyperviscosityreduced deformability

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

  • Hematology
  • Red Blood Cell Physiology
  • Iron Metabolism

Background:

  • Iron deficiency leads to hypochromic, microcytic erythrocytes with shortened survival.
  • Accelerated reticuloendothelial cell sequestration contributes to reduced red blood cell lifespan in iron deficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of diminished red blood cell deformability and increased fragility in iron deficiency.
  • To correlate iron status with in vitro physical characteristics of erythrocytes.

Main Methods:

  • Ektacytometry was used to measure erythrocyte deformability and fragility.
  • Whole erythrocytes and resealed ghost membranes were analyzed.
  • Patients were categorized into groups based on iron status and polycythemia.

Main Results:

  • Iron-deficient patients (with or without polycythemia) exhibited significantly reduced erythrocyte deformability and increased fragility compared to controls.
  • Patients with polycythemia but without anemia showed intermediate physical characteristics.
  • Altered physical properties of red blood cells contribute to their shortened lifespan.

Conclusions:

  • Diminished red blood cell deformability and increased fragility are key factors in the shortened erythrocyte lifespan associated with iron deficiency.
  • Oral iron supplementation effectively corrects these red blood cell abnormalities, reversing anemia and preventing hyperviscosity.
  • Correcting iron deficiency may reduce thrombotic event risk in polycythemic patients.