GLOSSARY

Anemia: A condition characterized by a deficiency of RBCs and/or hemoglobin within the RBCs, or reduced volume of blood. Anemic RBCs cannot function adequately to supply oxygen to the body's tissues.

Bone marrow: The soft tissue within the cavities of bones that house the body's supply of stem cells. All RBCs, many white blood cells and platelets are produced here.

Erythrocyte (red blood cell, RBC): The major cellular element of the circulating blood, reddish in color and biconcave (indented on both sides) in shape, approximately seven micrometers in diameter, and responsible for oxygen delivery to the body's cells.

Hematocrit: The measure of RBCs in the blood. It is expressed as a percentage of the total blood volume.

Hemoglobin: A complex protein-iron compound in the RBC responsible for carrying oxygen to the cells.