The human body contains a variety of cells out of which the blood cells are the most important. These blood cells are often referred to as Hematopoietic cells or Hepatocytes and as the name suggests it's made by hematopoiesis. The human body is mainly comprised of three types of blood cells, that are Red Blood Cells (RBC), White Blood cells (WBC), and Platelets. These 3 types of blood cells collectively account for more than 45% of blood tissues in the human body and the rest 55% is plasma.
What is a Red Blood Cell (RBC)?
The Red Blood Cells (RBCs) or commonly referred to as erythrocytes are the blood cell that is produced in the bone marrow via erythropoiesis. These blood cells are made up of a protein called hemoglobin and are responsible for carrying oxygen and carbon dioxide and transporting it to other organs of the body from the lungs. The dark red color of the blood comes because of the hemoglobin that contains iron. It's important to have an ample amount of RBCs in the blood, as its deficiency is a major sign of anemia, leukemia, malnutrition, and dehydration. The CBC (Complete Blood Cell) test is a very common clinical test, that can check the number of RBCs present in your Blood.
What is a White Blood Cell (WBC)?
The White Blood Cells (WBC) or also known as leukocytes are very similar to RBCs in construction and are produced in the bone marrow. The WBCs are often referred to as the cells of the immune system because it helps the human body fight unwanted foreign material in the body. Granulocytes, Monocytes, and Lymphocytes are the most common types of WBCs. The deficiency of WBCs can lead to leukopenia, inflammation, infections, and even some allergies. Also, inappropriate production of White Blood Cells (WBC) can even lead to Hematological Cancer. Thus it's important to keep a check on the number of WBCs in the body and it can be checked by the same CBC (Complete Blood Cell) test.
Difference Between Red Blood Cell (RBC) & White Blood Cell (WBC)
Red Blood Cell (RBC) | White Blood Cell (WBC) |
| It has a disc-liked shape | It has an irregular shape |
| No nucleus is present | A large central nucleus is present |
| There is only a single type of RBC Granulocytes | There are 3 types of WBCs, Granulocytes, Monocytes, and Lymphocytes |
| It is produced in bone marrow | It's produced in bone marrow, lymph, and nodes |
| It makes up 35-40% of the human blood | It makes up only 1% of the human blood |
| Its main functions include the transportation of respiratory gases from one body part to another | The main function of WBC is to fight infections and diseases. |
| The normal RBC count is 5 million/ mm3 of blood | The normal WBC count is 7000-8000/ mm3 of blood |
| It's red in color which appears due to the presence of hemoglobin | It's colorless as it doesn't have any pigment |
| The average lifespan of RBC is Approx. 120 days | The average lifespan of WBC is 12-20 days |
| The deficiency of RBC causes Anemia | The deficiency of RBC causes Leukopenia |
Conclusion
It's important for a human body to have an ample amount of RBC and WBC as they both have a specific role in the proper functioning of the human body. Including an ample amount of iron-rich food items in your diet can replenish RBCs in your body. Similarly, food items such as green tea, garlic, nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables can help in maintaining a proper WBC count in your body. The WBCs are usually destroyed every 12-20 days and again generated by the body, but that's not the case with RBC, as it has an average life span of 100-120 days.