Life and work of an RBC...
As you know, the function of the red
blood cell is to carry oxygen from parts of an animal where oxygen is
abundant (lungs, gills, tracheae, or skin surfaces) to all the place
where oxygen is consumed. That place is always a mitochondrion,
actually trillions of mitochondria in every human being. Every cell
has a least a few, some very energetic cells may have hundreds. They
are important in releasing energy from food to accomplish all the
work of the body.
Oxygen plays a critical role in
the most efficient release of energy from fuel molecules, most
commonly the sugar glucose.
Q: Oxygen has only one use in the body. What is it exactly?
Q: How does the amount of oxygen intake relate to energy use?
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Size and Cells