blood_and_immune_upper_slim lacks_part lacks_plasma_membrane_part has characteristic develops from capable of blood cell erythrocyte FMA:81100 RBC Erythrocytes, also known as red blood cells, are a type of specialized cell whose main function it is to transport oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues and organs, and to transport carbon dioxide from the body's tissues to the lungs, where it can be exhaled out of the body. In humans, erythrocytes make up the largest percentage of cells in the body. Human erythrocytes are biconcave in shape and lack nuclei and organelles, allowing them to carry oxygen and carbon dioxide through the bloodstream more efficiently. Most mammals have enucleated erythrocytes, while other animals such as birds and reptiles have nucleated erythrocytes. Hemoglobin, a protein located inside erythrocytes, is responsible for binding to oxygen. Erythrocytes are produced in the bone marrow and have a lifespan of approximately 120 days before they are broken down and recycled by the body. Erythrocytes are regulated by the hormone erythropoietin, which is produced by the kidneys and liver in response to low oxygen levels in the body, thereby stimulating erythrocyte production . In addition to their role in oxygen transport, erythrocytes also play a key role in regulating the body's pH levels. Without erythrocytes, oxygen would not be able to be transported efficiently throughout the body and tissues would not receive the necessary oxygen to function properly. Overall, erythrocytes are essential for maintaining the health and homeostasis of the body. (This extended description was generated by ChatGPT and reviewed by the CellGuide team, who added references, and by the CL editors, who approved it for inclusion in CL. It may contain information that applies only to some subtypes and species, and so should not be considered definitional.) Erythrocytes, also known as red blood cells, are a type of specialized cell that make up the largest percentage of cells in the human body. Erythrocytes are biconcave in shape and lack nuclei and organelles, allowing them to carry oxygen and carbon dioxide through the bloodstream more efficiently. The main function of erythrocytes is to transport oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues and organs, and to transport carbon dioxide from the body's tissues to the lungs, where it can be exhaled out of the body. Hemoglobin, a protein located inside erythrocytes, is responsible for binding to oxygen. Erythrocytes are produced in the bone marrow and have a lifespan of approximately 120 days before they are broken down and recycled by the body. Erythrocytes are regulated by the hormone erythropoietin, which is produced by the kidneys and liver in response to low oxygen levels in the body, thereby stimulating erythrocyte production . In addition to their role in oxygen transport, erythrocytes also play a key role in regulating the body's pH levels. Without erythrocytes, oxygen would not be able to be transported efficiently throughout the body and tissues would not receive the necessary oxygen to function properly. Overall, erythrocytes are essential for maintaining the health and homeostasis of the body. (This extended description was generated by ChatGPT and reviewed by the CellGuide team, who added references, and by the CL editors, who approved it for inclusion in CL. It may contain information that applies only to some subtypes and species, and so should not be considered definitional.) A red blood cell. In mammals, mature erythrocytes are biconcave disks containing hemoglobin whose function is to transport oxygen. BTO:0000424 erythrocyte red blood cell https://cellxgene.cziscience.com/cellguide/CL_0000232 CALOHA:TS-0290 oxygen accumulating cell reticulocyte erythroid lineage cell ribosome blood circulation oxygen transport biconcave transferrin receptor protein 1