### The ratio of amount of haemoglobin to total surface area of erythrocytes in mammalsThe ratio of amount of haemoglobin to total surface area of erythrocytes in mammals

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 Author Kostelecka Myrcha, Alina Source SpringerLink Content type Text Publisher Springer-Verlag File Format PDF Copyright Year ©2002 Language English
 Subject Domain (in DDC) Natural sciences & mathematics ♦ Life sciences; biology Subject Keyword mammals ♦ red blood indices ♦ surface area of erythrocytes ♦ Zoology ♦ Animal Physiology ♦ Behavioural Sciences ♦ Animal Ecology ♦ Evolutionary Biology ♦ Animal Anatomy ♦ Morphology ♦ Histology Abstract The literature provides all the data needed to calculate the ratio between the amount of haemoglobin and the total surface area of erythrocytes in 54 species of mammals ranging in body mass from 2.5 g to more than 1000 kg. Analysis shows that the concentration of haemoglobin (Hb; g%) does not depend on the body mass of the mammals studied. The number of erythrocytes in 1 mm$^{3}$ of blood (RBC; 10$^{6}$×mm$^{−3}$) is significantly lower, and the diameter of these cells significantly higher, among larger mammals as opposed to smaller ones. The result is that the total surface area of erythrocytes in 1 mm$^{3}$ of blood (TSAE; mm$^{2}$×mm$^{−3}$) is significantly lower among larger mammals, while the Hb/TSAE ratio (pg×μm$^{−2}$) is significantly greater. These results point to the smaller size of erythrocytes of smaller mammals permitting much greater numbers to exist, thereby producing a greater TSAE and smaller Hb/TSAE ratio. The greater total surface area of red blood cells per unit volume of blood in small mammals can in turn be presumed to allow for full saturation of haemoglobin by oxygen, even where the period of contact between erythrocytes and air in the lungs is shorter than in their larger counterparts. ISSN 00017051 Age Range 18 to 22 years ♦ above 22 year Educational Use Research Education Level UG and PG Learning Resource Type Article Publisher Date 2002-01-01 Publisher Place Berlin, Heidelberg e-ISSN 21903743 Journal Acta Theriologica Volume Number 47 Issue Number 1 Page Count 12 Starting Page 209 Ending Page 220