Hemoglobin provides red color of blood. Hemoglobin has four polypeptide chains forming protein globin . During RBC formation, they lose nucleus and acquire hemoglobin. Lifespan is about 120 days until destroyed by phagocytic cells in liver and spleen. Iron from broken down hemoglobin is recovered and reused.
Heme is excreted by liver to ultimately become bile pigments that color feces dark.
Leukemia is a form of cancer characterized by uncontrolled production of abnormal WBCs. AIDS results in an abnormally low number of T-lymphocytes. Platelets Assist Blood Clotting a. Platelets, also called thrombocytes , result from fragmentation of large megakaryocytes . Fibrinogen and prothrombin are proteins manufactured and deposited in blood by liver. When blood vessel is damaged, platelets clump at site and partially seal leak.