Erythropoiesis
The first phase in the lifecycle of a blood cell is called erythropoiesis. Erythropoiesis takes place primarily in your bone marrow, which produces red blood cells from stem cells. These resulting new red blood cells are immature and do not have nuclei yet.
Erythrocyte Maturation
In this phase, also known as differentiation or enucleation, the nucleus inside each cell begins to break down into smaller components that will eventually be released from the surface of the globin proteins during further development stages. The globin proteins then fold around these components, creating a pinkish-red color for each mature erythrocyte (normal RBCs) due to their high levels of hemoglobin within them.
Erythrocytes are also able to divide in this phase of development. This occurs when the maturation process causes a small tear or hole within each cell membrane that allows newly created hemoglobin molecules access into the inside of their fluid-filled center portions, where they can attach themselves and collect oxygen from your lungs for distribution throughout your body. Once these cells have collected enough oxygen, they seal over these puncture holes on their own with special proteins so no more new globin protein can enter them while carrying out important functions.
PhlebotomyU Courses
PhlebotomyU offers several courses. In our CPT I classes, students will receive hands on experience and practice this procedure in clinical and classroom settings. Contact PhlebotomyU today to learn which course is best for you.
Glycogenesis
The next stage is called Glycogenesis, which begins once erythrocyte membranes mature completely. During this final step, before releasing from bone marrow stem cells, glucose molecules are used to fill up the inside of these cells, causing them to swell with extra fluid. The raised pressure pushes erythrocytes forward in blood vessels towards your lungs, where they release some of their stored oxygen and pick up more carbon dioxide before returning back through veins toward your heart for circulation throughout your body once again.
Globins
Once red blood cells have reached maturity, they begin storing glycogen instead of just having a high concentration of hemoglobin within themselves. During this phase, globin proteins are broken down even further by enzymes found on the surface of each mature RBC until only amino acids remain that will be recycled over and over again during production phases, so nothing is wasted or lost recycling processes when creating new erythrocytes.
Lyses
The next stage in the lifecycle of a red blood cell is called lysis, during which your body’s immune system detects that an erythrocyte has become infected with viruses or bacteria and attempts to destroy it before it can spread infection around your bloodstream. Infected cells are quickly engulfed by macrophages, who release hydrolytic enzymes into their fluid centers through small openings near their surfaces so they can safely digest them within themselves for disposal as waste products once digestion is complete. Although slightly different from enucleation, this process allows globin proteins to break down further until only amino acids remain again, just like glycogenesis does at the end of each maturation phase after all other processes have been completed.
These remaining amino acids are recycled for future production of new erythrocytes, so nothing is wasted, and the entire cycle begins again in a continuous process that continues throughout your lifetime. The recycling process is a critical part of maintaining your health as well as how you feel in everyday life. Blood cells that don’t get recycled will die and not be replaced, which can lead to anemia or other blood disorders! Bone marrow cells called macrophages pick up these aging hemoglobin-filled cells and carry them back into your circulatory system, where they’re filtered by the liver, spleen, or kidneys. The iron from their protein coating is then reused elsewhere throughout our body while their entire contents (plasma ) get broken down so it can become part of urine or stool as waste products.
The Characteristics of Red Blood Cells
- Biconcave discs; rounder on one side than another due to flexibility and space requirements when carrying oxygen through capillaries.
- Produced by the bone marrow, removing excess plasma materials from erythroblastosis (the first stage of red blood cell formation). These cells last approximately 48 hours before becoming mature red blood cells.
- Bone marrow macrophages pick up aging hemoglobin-filled cells for recycling back into your circulatory system, where they’re filtered by the liver, spleen, or kidneys. The iron from their protein coating is then reused elsewhere throughout our body while their entire contents get broken down so it can become part of the urine.
- Manufactured in the bone marrow, removing excess plasma materials from erythroblastosis. These cells last approximately 100 days before becoming senescent (ready to be recycled).
Enroll at PhlebotomyU Today
After achieving your CPT1 certificate at PhlebotomyU, you will be ready to find your dream phlebotomy job. As a nationally accredited phlebotomy training program, PhlebotomyU prepares its students with the skills they need to succeed afterwards including career services , a phlebotomy internship, and more. Interested? Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions.
