Red Blood Cells, Sem #10
by Science Source
Title
Red Blood Cells, Sem #10
Artist
Science Source
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
Color enhanced scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of red blood cells found enmeshed in a fibrinous matrix on the luminal surface of an indwelling vascular catheter; Magnified 2858x Note the biconcave cytomorphologic shape of each erythrocyte, which increases the surface area of these hemoglobin-filled cells, thereby, promoting a greater degree of gas exchange, which is their primary function in an in vivo setting. In their adult phase, these cells possess no nucleus. What appears to be irregularly-shaped chunks of debris, are actually fibrin clumps, which when inside the living organism, functions as a key component in the process of blood clot formation, acting to entrap the red blood cells in a mesh-like latticework of proteinaceous strands, thereby, stabilizing and strengthening the clot, in much the same way as rebar acts to strengthen, and reinforce cement.
Uploaded
March 13th, 2013
Embed
Share
Comments
There are no comments for Red Blood Cells, Sem #10. Click here to post the first comment.