Eritrositler

Eritrositler, also known as red blood cells or erythrocytes, are the most abundant type of blood cell in vertebrates. Their primary function is to transport oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues and to carry carbon dioxide, a waste product, from the tissues back to the lungs.

Eritrositler are typically biconcave discs, meaning they are flattened and indented on both sides. This shape increases their surface area, which facilitates the efficient diffusion of gases. In mammals, mature eritrositler lack a nucleus and other organelles, such as mitochondria. This anucleated state allows for more space within the cell to be filled with hemoglobin, the protein responsible for oxygen binding. The absence of mitochondria also ensures that the eritrositler do not consume the oxygen they are transporting.

Hemoglobin is a complex protein containing iron, which gives blood its red color. Each molecule of hemoglobin can bind to four molecules of oxygen. As blood circulates through the lungs, oxygen binds to hemoglobin. When the blood reaches tissues with lower oxygen levels, hemoglobin releases the oxygen, which then diffuses into the cells.

Eritrositler are produced in the bone marrow through a process called erythropoiesis. This process is regulated by hormones, primarily erythropoietin, which is produced by the kidneys in response to low oxygen levels. The lifespan of an eritrosit is typically around 100 to 120 days, after which they are removed from circulation by the spleen and liver.