RBC Life cycle

Red Blood Cell Life Cycle

1. RBC are produced in the BM from
precursors. This is when Hb is
produced. RBC production is
stimulated by EPO released from
the kidney cells

2. Mature RBC are released in the
circulation where they function
for 120 days

3. Old RBC are recognized and
phagocytized by macrophages in
the spleen (Hemocatheretic
function)

4. The content of the RBC is
recycled: Hb à aa

5. Heme à Protoporphirin + Fe

6. protoporphyrin is recycled or
metabolized by liver (bilirubin)
and excreted in the gut
(stercobilin) or urin (Urobilin)

7. Iron is transported by transferrin
and/or conserved in the protein
ferritin

**!!REMEMBER TO STAY POSITIVE LIKE A PROTON!!**