Erythrocytes

Cells that contain hemoglobin and carry oxygen to the body. Also called red blood cells (RBC). The reddish color is due to the hemoglobin.

Erythrocytes are biconcave in shape, which increases the cell's surface area and facilitates the diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide. This shape is maintained by a cytoskeleton composed of several proteins.

Erythrocytes are very flexible and change shape when flowing through capillaries. Immature erythrocytes, called reticulocytes, normally account for 1-2 percent of red cells in the blood.

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