What is the average life of red blood cells?
The average life of red blood cells, also known as erythrocyte, is 100 to 120 days. During this time, red blood cells circulate the body with arteries, veins and capillaries. Finally, red blood cells wear and be recognized by macrophages, small white blood cells that spend cell remains, and are consumed in a process known as phagocytosis. Their main function is to carry oxygen throughout the body through the circulatory system. They contain a large amount of hemoglobin, allowing them to bind to oxygen. Hemoglobin is also responsible for their red color. The kidneys stimulate the production of red blood cells by eliminating erythropoetin. The bone marrow then produces immature red clippings, called reticulocytes that circulate the body for about a day before they become ripe red blood cells. Reticulocytes represent approximately 1% of red blood cells in the body.
As soon as reticulocytes become erythrocytes, circulate the body andPs for 120 days. Their primary function during this time is to circulate oxygen throughout the body, but also exclude chemicals that regulate dilatation and narrowing of blood vessels. They also help the immune system to break pathogenic cells.
When erythrocytes reach the end of the cycle, the membrane that surrounds them begins to deteriorate. At this point, they are recognized by cells known as macrophages and are used to make a way for new blood cells. This process, referred to as either erythrocytes programmed cell death or eryptosis, maintains the balance of the red stepping in the body. Every second the body produces about 2 million blood cells and that many cells are also destroyed.
Life of red blood cells was measured in several ways. The most common method is differential agglutination. It is a complex test that involves the use of substances that bind to erythrocytes and their introduction into the bloodstream. Measurements and tests are carried out and over time differences in measurement allow to determine the life of ČERed blood cells.