In geometry and mathematical biology, a biconcave disc — also referred to as a discocyte[1] — is a geometric shape resembling an oblate spheroid with two concavities on the top and on the bottom. Biconcave discs appear in the study of cell biology, as an approximation to the shape of certain cells, including red blood cells.

The typical biconcave disc shape allows for optimal oxygen transport. Abnormalities like sickle cells, spherocytes, elliptocytes, and fragmented RBCs (schistocytes) can be indicative of specific diseases.

Erythrocytes are biconcave disks; that is, they are plump at their periphery and very thin in the center (Figure 18.3.2). Since they lack most organelles, there is more interior space for the presence of the hemoglobin molecules that, as you will see shortly, transport gases.

2024年8月10日 · The structure of red blood cells has what is known as a biconcave shape. Both sides of the cell's surface curve inward like the interior of a sphere. This shape aids in a red blood cell's ability to maneuver through tiny blood vessels to deliver oxygen to organs and tissues.

The human erythrocyte adopts a distinctive biconcave disc form in vivo. The question as to why the red blood cell should have this particular profile remains unresolved. It has been suggested that this shape maximises the surface area to volume ratio and thus expedites diffusion.

2019年12月24日 · In mammals, their main role is to transport oxygen to all parts of a body’s tissue. The normal shape of RBCs is a biconcave discoid (Fig. 1b) which can be transformed in other shapes, such as...

2006年1月1日 · The human erythrocyte is essentially a biconcave disc. The fundamental form is that of disc with a central depression. Various mathematical equations have characterised the profile, with the following finding favour most recently [6]: y = [r 2-(x-a) 2] 1 / 2 where r and a are constants. r denotes sphericity of the disc. The equation describes ...

2024年1月1日 · Mature human red blood cells (RBCs) are well-known for their biconcave disk shape. They contain no organelles or complete energy or genetic system, unlike normal nucleated mammalian cells. However, they have a long lifespan of approximately 120 days, traveling through arteries, veins, and capillary vessels in the circulatory system to deliver ...

2016年11月26日 · Why are red blood cells biconcave? Mammalian RBC's are typically shaped as biconcave discs i.e. flattened and depressed in the centre , with a dumb bell shaped cross section. This distinctive biconcav shape optimises the flow properties of blood in the large vessels.

2015年1月24日 · Concave on both sides of a structure, usually referring to a disc or a lens. Of particular importance to physiology is the structure of mature red blood cells (erythrocytes), which is a flattened cell that has assume a biconcave shape.