2.61: Understand How Adaptations of Red Blood Cells Make them Suitable for the Transport of Oxygen, Including Shape, the Absence of a Nucleus and the Presence of Haemoglobin

RED BLOOD CELLS: Transports Oxygen in Haemoglobin of cell from Lungs to respiring cells for aerobic respiration

Diagram:

Diagram showing Structure of Red Blood Cell

ADAPTATIONS	EXPLANATION
HAEMOGLOBIN	Red blood cells contain Haemoglobin that combines with Oxygen to form Oxyhemoglobin to transport Oxygen to respiring cells
NO NUCLEUS	Red blood cells do not have a Nucleus to allow more space for Haemoglobin to transport Oxygen to respiring cells
SMALL AND FLEXIBLE	Red blood cells are small and flexible to squeeze through narrow capillaries and blood vessels for efficient transport
THIN CELL MEMBRANE	Red blood cells have thin cell membrane (one cell thick) to minimise distance of diffusion of Oxygen molecules, allowing efficient diffusion and transport of Oxygen to respiring cells
BICONCAVE	Red blood cells have flattened disc shape to increase surface area to volume ratio for diffusion of Oxygen, allowing efficient diffusion and transport of Oxygen to respiring cells