celldiagram.worldBiology · Specialized Cell
Red Blood Cell Diagram
A mature red blood cell is specialized for gas transport: a flexible biconcave bag packed with hemoglobin and stripped of most organelles.
Interactive vector diagram — click a part, hide labels, or download a 300 DPI PNG / editable SVG.
Diagram labels and functions
| Structure / stage | Function |
|---|---|
| Flexible membrane | Lets the cell squeeze through capillaries. |
| Biconcave shape | Increases surface area and shortens diffusion distance. |
| Hemoglobin | Binds oxygen reversibly. |
| No nucleus | Creates more room for hemoglobin. |
| No mitochondria | Prevents the cell using the oxygen it carries. |
Adaptations for oxygen transport
The biconcave shape creates a high surface-area-to-volume ratio, while loss of the nucleus leaves more room for hemoglobin.
Why red blood cells are flexible
A spectrin-based membrane skeleton lets each cell deform through capillaries narrower than its resting diameter.
Related diagrams
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is a red blood cell biconcave?
The shape increases surface area and keeps every part of the cell close to the surface for rapid diffusion.
Do red blood cells have nuclei?
Mature mammalian red blood cells do not.
How long does a human red blood cell live?
About 120 days in circulation.
Search terms covered by this page
red blood cell diagram