blood cell
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blood cell
A cell that circulates in the blood of humans and animals. A main distinction is made between red blood cells for transporting oxygen and white blood cells for immune defense.
Die roten Blutkörperchen sind für den Transport von Sauerstoff im Körper verantwortlich.
Red blood cells are responsible for transporting oxygen in the body.
The word is made up of 'Blut' (blood) and 'Körperchen' (little body). The ending '-chen' is a diminutive form and turns 'der Körper' (the body) into the small 'Körperchen' (little body). So it is literally a 'small body in the blood.'
Unter dem Mikroskop kann man die einzelnen Blutkörperchen erkennen.
Under the microscope, you can recognize the individual blood cells.
Although 'Blutkörperchen' (blood cell) is a medical technical term, it is also often used in everyday language when talking about health, blood tests, or illnesses.
Mein Arzt sagte, die Anzahl meiner weißen Blutkörperchen sei etwas zu niedrig.
My doctor said the number of my white blood cells was a little too low.
In usage, a distinction is almost always made between 'roten Blutkörperchen' (red blood cells; oxygen transport) and 'weißen Blutkörperchen' (white blood cells; immune defense). These adjectives are very important for understanding.
Die weißen Blutkörperchen sind ein wichtiger Teil unseres Immunsystems.
White blood cells are an important part of our immune system.