Why white blood cells and red blood cells are destroyed?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the mechanisms behind the destruction of white blood cells (WBCs) and red blood cells (RBCs), including their lifespan and the processes involved in their breakdown. Participants explore both theoretical and biological aspects of cell death and the physiological pathways that lead to the processing of these cells in the body.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants inquire about the specific mechanisms of white blood cell death, suggesting terms like "apoptosis" as a potential area of exploration.
  • There is a question regarding the lifespan of red blood cells, with one participant noting that they can last over 100 days, while white blood cells have varying lifespans depending on their function.
  • Participants express curiosity about how red blood cells are processed in the liver and spleen, questioning whether they die in the bloodstream or pass through capillaries to reach liver cells.
  • One participant emphasizes the need for more context in the questions posed, suggesting that a deeper understanding of liver function and related processes is necessary.
  • Another participant recommends educational resources, such as videos and articles, to help clarify the biological processes involved in the destruction of these cells.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not appear to reach a consensus on the specific mechanisms of cell death or the processes involved in the breakdown of red and white blood cells. Multiple competing views and questions remain unresolved.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the specificity of the questions asked and the assumptions underlying the participants' inquiries. The complexity of the biological processes involved is acknowledged but not fully explored.

Aafia
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Why do white blood cells die and what cause them to destroy within a few (20-30) hours?
I have an other question also that if red blood cells remain within capillaries, veins and arteries then how do they pass onto liver cells for the breakdown or they die within veins, capillaries and arteries?
 
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1. Are you asking about the mechanism of white cell death inmsome context? Have you looked up "apoptosis"?
2. Red cells... and anything else thst needs to be processed out: there isva filter system.
 
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Simon Bridge said:
1. Are you asking about the mechanism of white cell death inmsome context? Have you looked up "apoptosis"?
2. Red cells... and anything else thst needs to be processed out: there isva filter system.
Basically I want to know what causes the death of RBC and WBC or what triggers this destruction. Is it necessary for these cells to die. Also, if RBC's and WBC's run within capillaries and arteries then why it is said that they are destroyed in liver and spleen? Does they pass into the liver cells through some opening in capillaries or they dies within these capillaries?
 
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Red blood cells last ~100+ days in the body. Sometimes a lot longer.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_blood_cell

White blood cells are NOT one kind of cell. There are several, and depending on what they do, they last for different times.
On average they last about one year. WB Cells that are created to fight an infection live for short periods of time; the example you gave was 20+ hours and that was probably about them.

On your next question - help us to help you: tell us where you read your information, or give us some context for your question. Thanks
 
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Aafia said:
Why do white blood cells die and what cause them to destroy within a few (20-30) hours?
I have an other question also that if red blood cells remain within capillaries, veins and arteries then how do they pass onto liver cells for the breakdown or they die within veins, capillaries and arteries?

A college microbiology course will help you understand this more in depth (you wouldn't have to ask these questions if you took it). Like Jim posted, your questions aren't specific enough- there are other processes that you need to understand firstly.

Until then, this video might help and addresses your questions; I find visualizing processes like this an important precursor to my own understanding:

 

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