The diameter of red blood cells when flowing through a rapid reaction apparatus

Abstract

Human red blood cells passing through a rapid reaction apparatus in turbulent flow were photographed. The red cell diameter was measured. There was no indication of a change either when the continuous flow technique or when the stopped flow technique was applied. It was concluded that the inalysis of the gas exchange of red blood cells in a rapid reaction apparatus can be made on the basis of the discoidal shape of red blood cells. It was pointed out that the red cells in blood capillaries have a different shape. Therefore, the resistance of the interior of a red cell for gas exchange inside a blood capillary may be different from that in a rapid reaction apparatus.