Introduction
Both red blood cells and white blood cells play an essential role in the human body. Red blood cells or RBC carry oxygen to the tissues in different parts of the body. White blood cells or WBC strengthen the defense mechanism of the body by generating antibodies. The primary difference between RBC and WBC lies in their functionality. While RBCs act as carriers, WBC act as creators. The experts at Vedantu have summarized the difference between red blood cells and white blood cells in a comprehensive manner.
Red Blood Cells (RBC)
As the name suggests, RBC is red because of the presence of hemoglobin which is an iron-rich protein and binds with oxygen to get the red color. RBC gives a red color to the blood because of its presence in the blood in a large number. Also known as Erythrocytes, red blood cells are round, small, and bi-concaved in shape but due to their flexibility, they appear bell-shaped when passing through small vessels. They carry oxygen to the tissue in the body. To maintain a healthy RBC count in the body, it is essential to take an iron and vitamin-rich diet. A low RBC count causes anemia and its common symptoms are irregular heartbeat, pale skin, feeling cold, fatigue, and joint pain.
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The primary function of Red Blood Cells is to carry oxygen from the lungs to the tissue in different parts of the body, using the blood circulation system. They also carry carbon dioxide back to the lungs from where they are excreted out of the body. Since the RBC has a bi-concave shape it helps in the exchange of oxygen at a constant rate and over a large surface area.
White Blood Cells (WBC)
White Blood Cells are colorless due to the absence of hemoglobin in them. Also known as Leukocytes, white blood cells protect the body from any infections by producing antibodies that build up the defense system of the body against germs and infections. One of the other important factors that help us to differentiate between RBC and WBC is the circulation system used by these cells. WBC uses cardiovascular circulation and is also present in the lymphatic system. Red blood cells use only the cardiovascular circulatory system. Invading bacteria, viruses, and germs are attacked by these cells, which aid in the fight against infection.
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Although white blood cells begin in the bone marrow, they circulate throughout the body. There are five different types of white blood cells:
Neutrophils
Lymphocytes
Eosinophils
Monocytes
Basophils
The primary function of white blood cells is to produce antibodies in the body and to strengthen immunity of the body. A good defense mechanism protects the body from any germ attacks or infections. WBC protects the body by digesting the foreign material and cancer cells present in the body by producing antibodies.
Let’s look at the difference between red blood cells and white blood cells in detail.
Difference Between Red Blood Cells and White Blood Cells
FAQs on Difference Between RBC and WBC
1. What is the Primary Function of the Red Blood Cells (RBC)?
The primary function of Red Blood Cells is to carry oxygen from the lungs to the tissue in different parts of the body, using the blood circulation system. They also carry back carbon dioxide and other waste material to the lungs from where they are excreted out of the body. Since the RBC have a bi-concave shape it helps in the exchange of oxygen at a constant rate and over a large surface area.
2. What is the Primary Function of the White Blood Cells (WBC)?
The primary function of white blood cells is to produce antibodies in the body and to strengthen the immunity of the body. A good defence mechanism protects the body from any germ attacks or infections. WBC protect the body by digesting the foreign material and cancer cells present in the body by producing antibodies.
3. What are the Diseases and Their Symptoms that Occur in Case of a Low or High White Blood Cell Count in the Body?
A decline in the WBC count makes the body prone to several infections. A high or low white blood cell count in the body can cause diseases like a weak immune system, myelodysplastic syndrome, cancer, myeloproliferative disorder Some of the common symptoms of low WBC count include physical or emotional stress and inflammation among others.
4. Is leukemia curable?
Leukemia is a malignancy of the blood that affects the bone marrow and blood cells. As with other types of cancer, there is currently no cure for leukemia. After diagnosis and therapy, people with leukemia may go into remission, a state in which the cancer is no longer detectable in the body.
5. What causes red blood cells to die?
An autoimmune condition in which the immune system misidentifies and destroys your own red blood cells as foreign things might cause red blood cell destruction. Within the red cells, there are genetic flaws (such as sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, and G6PD deficiency)
