Discocyte
Discocyte refers to a type of red blood cell (RBC) with a distinctive disc shape, characterized by being biconcave, which optimizes the cell's surface area for gas exchange. This shape is crucial for the efficient transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the lungs and the rest of the body. Discocytes are the most common form of RBCs in humans and many other animals, playing a vital role in the circulatory system.
Structure and Function[edit | edit source]
The biconcave shape of a discocyte allows for a larger surface area-to-volume ratio, facilitating the rapid diffusion of gases. This shape is maintained by the RBC's cytoskeleton, which consists of a network of proteins, including spectrin and actin, that provide structural support. The flexibility of the discocyte is also crucial as it enables the cell to deform and pass through the narrow capillaries in the microcirculation.
Formation[edit | edit source]
Discocytes are formed in the bone marrow through a process called erythropoiesis. During their development, they expel their nucleus and most organelles to maximize space for hemoglobin, the protein responsible for oxygen transport. The loss of the nucleus is what gives these cells their characteristic shape and flexibility.
Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]
Alterations in the shape of red blood cells can indicate various blood disorders. For example, in spherocytosis, RBCs become more spherical, losing their biconcavity, which can lead to hemolytic anemia. Similarly, in sickle cell anemia, genetic mutations cause RBCs to adopt a sickle shape under low oxygen conditions, leading to various complications.
See Also[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD