Vertebrate Red Blood Cells: Adaptations of Function to Respiratory Requirements (Zoophysiology, 28)

This book reviews the respiratory function of vertebrate red cells. I have defined the phrase "respiratory function" broadly to include, in addition to the actual oxygen and carbon dioxide transport, erythropoiesis, haemoglobin synthesis, red cell structure, the deformability of red cells in circulation, ion and substrate transport across the cell membrane, cellular metabolism, and control of cellular volume and pH. All of these aspects of the red cell function may affect gas transport between the respiratory epithelia and the tissues. Throughout the book, I have tried to relate our current knowledge about the nucleated red cell function to the wealth of information about the function of mammalian red cells. However, whenever possible, I have placed the emphasis on the nucleated red cell function for two reasons. First, the erythro­ cytes of 90% of vertebrate species are nucleated, and, second, nucleated red cell function has not been reviewed earlier in a single volume. This being the case, I have tried to make the reference list as complete as I could with regard to nucleated red cells. I hope that the approach adopted is useful for both com­ parative and human physiologists. Many people have contributed to the making of this book directly or in­ directly. Antti Soivio started me in this field. Prof. Henrik Wallgren has always encouraged fresh scientific ideas in his department. My present ideas of red cell function have been influenced by work carried out with Prof. Roy E. This book reviews the function of vertebrate erythrocytes, particularly of nucleated red cells. Throughout, current knowledge on nucleated red cell function is related to the wealth of information about the function of mammalian erythrocytes. The discussion covers erythropoiesis, synthesis and structure of haemoglobin, structure of nonnucleated and nucleated erythrocytes, their deformability, energy metabolism, substrate and ion transport across the cell membrane, control of cell volume and pH, carbon dioxide transport, and oxygen transport with emphasis on the effects of environment on the oxygen affinity of blood. Aspects such as substrate transport across the membrane and the energy metabolism of nucleated red blood cells are outlined. Based on recent findings of the secondary active transport of ions across the membrane, the role of this mechanism in the control of cellular volume and pH is discussed. Finally, the control of haemoglobin function at the cellular and molecular level is treated. Special attention is paid to the regulation of oxygen affinity in changing environments. Front Matter....Pages I-XII Introduction....Pages 1-3 Erythropoiesis and the Control of Circulating Red Cell Number....Pages 4-14 The Biosynthesis and Structure of Haemoglobin....Pages 15-43 Structure of Circulating Red Cells....Pages 44-61 Red Cells in Circulation: Factors Affecting Red Cell Shape and Deformability....Pages 62-74 Energy Metabolism and Regulation of Organic Phosphate Concentrations....Pages 75-98 Major Ion Transporting Pathways....Pages 99-121 Control of Volume and pH....Pages 122-143 Carbon Dioxide Transport....Pages 144-155 Oxygen Transport....Pages 156-208 Back Matter....Pages 209-262