Blood Cells

Blood Cells

We contain 2 types of Blood Cells in our body, White Blood Cells and Red Blood Cells.

The main function of White Blood Cells is to protect our body and fight of harmful organisms.

The main function of Red Blood Cells is to transport oxygen to our cells.

Red Blood Cells

Red Blood Cells play a crucial part in our blood circulation, they transfer oxygen from our lungs to our cells, and take Carbon dioxide back to our lungs.
Red Blood Cells are round and flat, they lose their nucleus a few days after creation in order to carry the maximum amount of oxygen possible. RBCs are created in the Bone Marrow; they have a life span of an estimated 120 days and end their lives in the Liver.
Red Blood Cells contain Hemoglobin. Hemoglobin contains Iron which allows RBCs to carry oxygen.
To Create good and healthy RBCs our body needs Vitamin E and Vitamin B, and we need a good supply of Iron to maintain them. Lack of either of the nutrients maybe result in severe illnesses like Ammonia, Ammonia is caused when the number of RBCs transferring oxygen to our cells is less than a certain amount, this maybe be due to lack of nutrients or irregular formation of the cells.

RBC Count

A red blood cell count is a blood test the allows doctors to find out the number of RBCs in a person's body.
The test is pretty simple, the doctors will draw some blood from the vein inside your elbow and its later sent to the lab to be researched and your test result is given to you in a matter of weeks.
For the average male the range of RBC Count should be somewhere from 4.7 - 6.1 million cells per litter, and the average RBC Count for a female should be around 4.2 - 5.4 million cells per litter.
If your RBC Count test has an abnormal result, you should visit your doctor and immediately start with a treatment.
Having a High RBC Count might be due to :

• Renal Cell Carcinoma
• Heart Diseases
• Polycythemia Vera
• Smoking
• Dehydration 

Having a Low RBC Count might be due to:

• Anemia
• Bone Marrow Failure 
• Erythropotein deficiency
• Malnutrition
• Lack of Nutrients   

White Blood Cells

The function of white blood cells in our body is to fight of harmful organisms like Viruses,Bacteria and Microbes. They are also created in the Bone Marrow between our fatty tissues.

There are 5 types of WBCs

1.  Monocytes- Their main function is to help break down bacteria's.
2. lymphosytes- They create antibodies to defend against viruses, microbes and bacteria.
3. Neutrophils- They kill and digest bacteria and Fungus 
4. Basophils- Their main function is to sound an alarm when infectious organisms invade your blood.
5. Eosinophils- They kill parasites and destroy cancer cells.

White Blood Cell Count

The idea of RBC Count and WBC Count are the same, and the test is taken the same way as as well but the research done in the lab is different therefor the results are different.

An Average Person should have 4500-10000 Million WBCs per litter, some of the drugs that might effect the test results are quinidine, heparin, antibiotics, antihistamines and anticonvulsants because they all increase the number of WBCs in our body so its better to not take any of them a few days prior to the test or at least inform the doctor before taking the test.

If your result is below average its referred to as Leukopenia and might be due to:

• HIV
• bone marrow disorder
• lymphoma
• severe infections
• Liver disease 
• Radiation Treatments

If your result is above average its referred to as Leukocytosis and might be due to

• Anemia
• Tumors in the bone marrow
• Stress
• Tissue damage
• Pregnancy
• Allergies
• Asthma 

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Questions 

1) Why do Red Blood Cells contain Iron?

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2) What is the main function of Red Blood Cells?

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3) Name 3 Types of White Blood Cells and explain their function

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4) How is the RBC Count test preformed?

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5) What is the Scientific term for people who have a low WBC Count?

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