RBC and WBC Full Form

RBC and WBC Full Form

Edited By Team Careers360 | Updated on Mar 06, 2023 12:52 PM IST

What is the full form of RBC and WBC?

Red blood cells, or RBCs, play a vital role in maintaining the health of our bodies by transporting oxygen to the tissues in different parts of the body. White blood cells, or WBCs, are crucial for the immune system, working to protect the body from infections and diseases by creating antibodies. While RBCs are essential for the delivery of oxygen, WBCs are responsible for the production of essential elements that help keep us healthy. The primary distinction between these two types of blood cells lies in their unique functions: RBCs act as carriers, transporting oxygen to the body's tissues, while WBCs act as creators, producing antibodies to defend the body from harm.

This Story also Contains
  1. What is the full form of RBC and WBC?
  2. Red blood cells
  3. The function of red blood cells
  4. White blood cells
  5. The function of white blood cells
  6. RBC and WBC: difference
RBC and WBC Full Form
RBC and WBC Full Form

Red blood cells

The most typical type of cell in the blood is red blood cells, commonly known as erythrocytes. White blood cells, platelets, and plasma are further important blood constituents. The shape of a red blood cell is considered biconcave. The surface of the cell bends inward on both sides, like the inside of a sphere. Red blood cells' ability to fit through small blood channels and deliver oxygen to tissues and organs is assisted by their shape.

The function of red blood cells

The red blood cell's key role is to transport oxygen from the lungs to the body's different tissues and cells. When somebody breathes in, atmospheric oxygen travels through the nostril and into their lungs. Haemoglobin molecules meet oxygen molecules in the lungs and then move to the heart. The same blood, which contains oxygen, is pumped from the heart to the rest of the body parts (muscles, tissues, and other organs).

The red blood cell's secondary job is to carry carbon dioxide, a waste product of the body's metabolic activities. The chemical changes happening in the cells result in the production of carbon dioxide. The blood plasma and RBCs then excrete this waste product. While blood plasma, RBCs, and other cells all make a significant contribution to the elimination of carbon dioxide from the body, RBCs carry carbon dioxide from the body's cells and carry it to the lungs, where it is inhaled out of the body.

White blood cells

The second most prevalent form of blood cell is called a white blood cell (WBC). They are responsible for warding off sickness and protecting the body against infection. WBCs are produced in the bone marrow. New cells are produced to replace them as they pass away.

WBCs have different shapes and are bigger than RBCs. They are typically clear or pale yellow and do not contain haemoglobin. Often, WBCs are known as leukocytes...

The function of white blood cells

The body produces WBC, which are parts of the immune system, whenever the immune system is failing. Protect the body from being damaged by outside chemicals, these cells' primary job is to safeguard the body. The WBC produces antibodies to fight off any diseases or foreign substances that enter the human body and try to remove them.

RBC and WBC: difference

RBCs and WBCs differ primarily in their intended use. WBCs combat infection, while RBCs carry oxygen around the body. The concave shape and size of RBCs are similar to those of WBCs, which are bigger and have various shapes. The last difference is that WBCs lack haemoglobin, while RBCs do.

  1. Shape: RBCs are shaped like a flattened disk with a concave centre, while WBCs can have a variety of shapes, including round, oval, or irregular.

  1. Colour: RBCs are red in colour due to the presence of the pigment haemoglobin, which gives them their characteristic hue. WBCs, on the other hand, are white in colour due to the absence of haemoglobin.

  1. Function: RBCs are responsible for carrying oxygen to the tissues in different parts of the body, while WBCs are part of the immune system and play a role in defending the body against infections and diseases by producing antibodies.

  1. Number: Number: There are generally more RBCs in the blood compared to WBCs. The normal range for RBCs in a healthy adult is 4.7 to 6.1 million cells per microliter of blood, while the normal range for WBCs is between 4,500 and 11,000 cells per microliter of blood.

  1. Lifespan: RBCs have a lifespan of about 120 days, after which they are replaced by new RBCs produced in the bone marrow. WBCs have a shorter lifespan and are replaced more frequently, with some types surviving for only a few hours or days, while others can live for several months.

  1. Size: RBCs are smaller in size compared to WBCs, with an average diameter of about 7.5 micrometres. WBCs can range in size from about 10 to 15 micrometres.

  1. Elements: The enzyme in red blood cells is called haemoglobin. Leukocytes that have recognised antigens on foreign invaders generate white blood cells. MHC and antibodies together (the major histocompatibility complex).

  1. Quantity: A microliter of blood usually contains between four and six million red blood cells. The white blood cell count typically ranges from 5,000 to 10,000.

  1. Cell movement: Erythrocytes can alter their shape to pass through small apertures as they have no nucleus. While leukocytes could somewhat change their shape because of the presence of a nucleus, they are considerably larger than erythrocytes and cannot pass through narrow corridors as easily.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What kinds of blood cells are there?

Erythrocytes, also known as RBCs, leucocytes, or WBCs, and thrombocytes, or platelets, are the three distinct types of blood cells.

2. Which blood cells shield our bodies from harm?

White blood cells make up just 1% of our body, but they have a massive effect. Our body is protected from sickness and disease by white blood cells.

3. What disorders are caused by a decrease in white blood cells?

Leukopenia is a disease in which your body's WBC levels are all below normal. People with leukopenia are more vulnerable to infection. Until you have infection-related symptoms like a fever or shivers, you may not be aware that you have leukopenia.

4. What occurs if you have a lack of red blood cells?

Anaemia is a disease that occurs when there are insufficient healthy red blood cells to deliver sufficient oxygen to the organs of your body. Getting anaemic, or having low haemoglobin, can make you feel fatigued and frail.

5. How can we raise our red blood cell count?

 Dietary elements such as vitamin B9, iron, vitamin A, vitamin C, copper, and vitamin E can boost RBC count. Regular exercise will assist us in increasing the number of RBCs.

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