What is the shape of red blood cells in humans and what function do they perform?
GeneralClass 12AllAnswered 27 Mar 2026
Answer
Human red blood cells (RBCs) have a distinctive biconcave disc shape, meaning they are round and flat with depressed centers on both sides, resembling a doughnut without a hole.
Functions of red blood cells:
- Oxygen transport: Carry oxygen from the lungs to all body tissues using hemoglobin, a red pigment protein
- Carbon dioxide removal: Transport carbon dioxide from tissues back to the lungs for exhalation
- Gas exchange: Facilitate efficient exchange of respiratory gases
The biconcave shape is perfectly suited for this function because it:
- Increases surface area for maximum gas exchange
- Allows flexibility to squeeze through narrow blood capillaries
- Enables efficient oxygen diffusion to the cell's center
Mature human RBCs lack a nucleus, which provides more space for hemoglobin and enhances their oxygen-carrying capacity.
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