Red blood cells are wider than white blood cells so that they have more carrying capacity to transport oxygen and other nutrients throughout the body. The more surface the cells have, the more they can transport.
Blood Basics
Our blood is a living tissue with a variety of critical functions: It delivers oxygen and nutrients to our organs, fights infections and creates blood clots, preventing us from bleeding excessively when a blood vessel is damaged. The liquid part of our blood, called plasma, is key for maintaining blood pressure and supplying critical proteins for blood clotting, immunity and maintaining the correct pH balance in our body -- critical to cell function. Plasma also carries the solid part of our blood -- white blood cells, which work to destroy viruses and bacteria; red blood cells, which carry oxygen through the body; and platelets, which help clotting. Learn more about blood basics with expert advice from Sharecare.
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Discovery Health answeredSee All 2 AnswersAfter a baby is born, the health care provider or doctor has just 15 minutes or so to clamp and cut the cord and then collect the cord blood.
After that, the cord essentially automatically clamps itself off by being exposed to the air.
The blood can be collected in two different ways.
In the bag method, the doctor attaches a bag like the ones used to attach an IV to the end of the cord that was cut-and elevates the cord to allow the blood to drain into the bag.
In the other method, the doctor inserts a syringe into the cord and draws out the blood, similar to how blood is drawn from a vein.
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When a person dies, their blood cannot be used because it settles in the body and begins to clot.
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Macrocytosis is the term used to describe red blood cells that are larger than normal. Macrocytosis is not an actual disease but it may indicate there is an underlying problem such as: Vitamin B-12 deficiency; Folate deficiency; Liver disease; Alcoholism; or increased blood cell production in the bone marrow.
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There are many conditions that can cause low blood platelets such as problems that affect the spleen, bone marrow, or the immune system. Conditions that can cause low blood platelets include: aplastic anemia, viruses, myelodysplasia, pregnancy, autoimmune diseases, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, and cirrhosis. -
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The blood type of a child depends on the blood type of the parents. Each parent/person has two genes that make up the blood type. Depending on which combination each parent has determines the different combinations that the child can have. For example, if the mother is AO (received A from one parent and O from the other) and the father is BO there is a possibility that their child will have one of the following blood types: A (25%), B (25%), O (50%), or AB (25%).
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Hypoxemia, or low blood oxygen, can be caused by any of the following medical problems: anemia, airway obstruction, congenital heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, high altitudes, pneumonia, pneumothorax, pulmonary edema, pulmonary embolism, pulmonary fibrosis, shock, or sleep apnea.
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Measurement of RDW, or random distribution of red cell width, provides health care professionals with information regarding the size of red blood cells which can assist in clarifying diagnosis of anemia. RDW can be high due to: B12 and Pernicious anemia; folic acid anemia; iron deficiency anemia; hemolytic anemia; transfusions; sideroblastic anemia; or alcohol abuse. A low RDW can indicate any of the following: iron deficiency anemia due to parasites, blood loss, or poor iron absorption; vitamin B6 anemia; or rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
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If you are fit and healthy you should not experience any problems after donating blood. However, you may feel slightly sluggish or tired but that will go away as your body replenishes it's fluids. Be sure to eat regular meals and drink plenty of fluids before and after donating blood.
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RealAge answeredLymphocytes are white blood cells that play essential roles in the immune system. There are two types of lymphocytes, B cells and T cells.
B cells develop from stem cells deep in the bone marrow. B cells produce antibodies that the body uses to fight off bacteria, viruses, toxins and other substances that can cause illness and disease.
T cells are also produced in the bone marrow. Also called T-lymphocytes or thymocytes, T cells are able to distinguish healthy body cells from cancer cells or infected cells. Specific types of T cells known as killer cells can then attach to the diseased cells and kill them.