Eritrocit

Eritrocit is the Macedonian term for erythrocyte, commonly known as a red blood cell. Red blood cells are the most common type of blood cell and the vertebrate's primary means of delivering oxygen from the lungs to the body tissues. They also carry carbon dioxide, a waste product, back to the lungs.

Eritrocit are biconcave discs, meaning they are shaped like flattened spheres with an indentation in the center. This shape increases their surface area, allowing for more efficient gas exchange. They lack a nucleus and most organelles in their mature state, which maximizes the space available for hemoglobin, the protein responsible for binding oxygen. The red color of blood is due to hemoglobin, which contains iron.

The production of eritrocit, called erythropoiesis, occurs in the bone marrow. This process is regulated by the hormone erythropoietin, which is produced by the kidneys in response to low oxygen levels. The lifespan of a red blood cell is typically around 120 days. After this period, they are removed from circulation by macrophages in the spleen and liver.

Disruptions in the number or function of eritrocit can lead to various medical conditions, such as anemia, characterized by a deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin, or polycythemia, an excess of red blood cells. These conditions can affect the body's ability to transport oxygen and can have significant health consequences.