2.59: Explain How Adaptations of Red blood Cells, Including Shape, Structure and the Presence of Haemoglobin, Make them Suitable for the Transport of Oxygen

RED BLOOD CELLS: Transports Oxygen from the Lungs to Respiring Cells for Aerobic Respiration

Diagram:

 

ADAPTATIONS	EXPLANATION
HAEMOGLOBIN	Red Blood Cells contain Haemoglobin (A Red Protein that Combines with Oxygen to Form Oxyhaemoglobin) to Allow the Cell to Transport Oxygen to Respiring Cells
NO NUCLEUS	Has No Nucleus so they Can have More Haemoglobin, Allowing More Oxygen to be Carried and Transported to Respiring Cells
SMALL AND FLEXIBLE	Small and Flexible which Allows the Red Blood Cells to Squeeze through Narrow Capillaries and Blood Vessels
THIN CELL MEMBRANE	Very Thin Cell Membrane So Distance of Diffusion is Short, Allowing the Efficient Rate of Diffusion of Oxygen to the Centre of the Cell
BICONCAVE	Flattened Disc Shape to Increase the Surface Area to Volume Ratio for the Efficient Rate of Diffusion of Oxygen Into Cells