Online A comprehensive package for the hands-on teaching of Molecular Biology. Cell differentiation Blood cells Blood has a number of cell types in order to provide the different functions of blood. As well as carrying oxygen to the tissues, blood is responsible for the body's defence mechanism, and for clotting in response to injury. The red blood cells, derived from the bone marrow, are highly specialised. Also, the distance the oxygen has to diffuse from the plasma to anywhere inside the cell is small.
Erythrocytes also contain substantial amounts of the enzyme carbonic anhydrase .
The white blood cells are vital in preventing and controlling infection. This is a diverse group of cell types, each responsible for a different aspect of fighting and preventing infection and tissue damage. They are usually classified according to their morphological characteristics. They are also known as polymorphonuclear cells, because of their lobed nuclei. Also known as mononuclear leukocytes.