The red blood cells (RBCs) are oxygen and carbon dioxide carrying cells found in the blood serum of vertebrate organisms (Starr, 143). They transport oxygen from the lungs to the tissues, and carbon dioxide from the tissues to organs that get rid of them, such as lungs. The RBCs are biconcave, oval, and do not contain most cell organelles; this creates more space for hemoglobin packaging (Starr, 143). RBCs are adapted to carry oxygen and carbon (IV) oxide due to the presence of Hemoglobin; it is an Iron-molecule that binds to oxygen and carbon dioxide to allow for its transport (Starr, 144). The RBCs are manufactured in the bone marrow; they move around the body for about 120 days before being broken down and recycled (Starr, 145). Other functions of RBCs include the ability of the RBCs to release energy when subjected to stress, which allows for ease movement of blood in the vessels.
The Eosinophils are a very important part of the white blood cells synthesized in the bone marrow during hematopoiesis (Starr, 143). They are brick-like transparent cells, they are nucleated, they are found in both the blood serum and body organs outside the blood vessels; their size is about 17 micrometers. They function in offering the body defense against infections, multicellular parasites, and play a role in controlling allergic reactions in the body such as asthma. They are about six percent of the white blood cells; they exist for up to 12 hours in the blood and 12 days in the tissues. The Eosinophils are an important part of the instinctive immune system as they destroy any foreign invasion in the body non-specifically. The functions of these blood cells are activated by the cytokines from the helper T cells. Once they are active, they produce reactive substances such as superoxide, hypobromite, and peroxide; enzymes among many other compounds that help them in effecting their defensive function (Starr, 143). Increased production of the Eosinophils causes hypersensitivity reactions such as allergic reactions, these results due to parasite infections especially intra-tissue infestation, these effects body defense (Starr, 143).
There are four different types of blood found in human beings; these are O, B, A, and AB (Starr, 146). The letters are used to indicate the type of antigen found on the RBCs; blood group ‘O’ lacks antigen on the RBCs. The most complex of all blood types is type AB; it contains all the two antigens but lack blood antibodies ‘a’ and ‘b’. People with this type of blood are universal recipients as they can accommodate blood from any other type of donation; this is possible because no antibodies are released to cause agglutination in blood (Starr, 146). This blood type is not compatible with any other when it comes to donation, the presence of all the antigens will cause the other blood types to produce antibodies hence causing agglutination.
The Rhesus factor (Rh) is another very important aspect of blood found on the surface of the RBCs (Starr, 148). Blood is either Rh negative where it lacks the Rh antigen (Rh-) or Rh positive where it has the Rh antigen (Rh+). If a Rh+ man and a Rh- woman get a baby, the baby might suffer health implications if the baby is Rh+; this happens during birth, as the mothers blood intermingle with the babies producing antibodies that cause agglutination of the child’s blood, commonly known as hemolytic disease of the newborn (Starr, 148)
Works Cited
Starr, Cecie, and Beverly McMillan. Human Biology. 9th ed. Stamford, Connecticut, U.S.: Cengage Learning. 2012. Print.