Blood cells are all cells that circulate in the bloodstream and make up blood, and are considered connective tissue because the bloodstream connects the body systems and has a wide range of functions for them (ex: transportation, removal of harmful substances, etc). They range from white blood cells to plasma to, the most commonly known, red blood cells. This post is specifically going to explain the characteristics and functions of the red blood cell. The red blood cell is circular in shape and has concave indents on both sides, so it looks like a pancake with a compressed inner area. The reason it seems red (and gives blood its red color) is due to the protein hemoglobin, which binds to oxygen and allows that oxygen to be transported throughout the body. One specific specialized trait of the red blood cell is that it doesn't contain a nucleus nor a any organelles. This allows the red blood cell to contain a large amount of hemoglobin, which then translates to an increased capability to hold and transfer oxygen. The red blood cell is, simply put, expendable. A single red blood has an average lifespan of 120 days, not including the loss of blood through cuts or other open wounds.
Hey Theron I enjoyed learning about the red blood cell from your post. I did not really know much about blood or the parts that make up blood such as those of the red blood cell, white blood cells, and plasma before. It was also interesting learning why red blood cells are red and how it correlates to the blood stream carrying oxygen throughout the body.
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