Skip to main content
Springer Nature Link
Log in

A note on the shape of the erythrocyte

  • Published:
Bulletin of Mathematical Biology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Variational calculus is used to derive an equation for the shape of the cross section of a human red blood cell, the objective being the maximization of the surface area/volume ratio. Comparison to previous work is presented.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Literature

  • Canham, P. B. 1970. “The Minimum Energy of Bending as a Possible Explanation of the Bioconcave Shape of the Human Red Blood Cell.”J. Theor. Biology,26, 61–81.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fung, Y. C. 1966. “Theoretical Considerations of the Elasticity of Red Cells and Small Blood Vessles.”Fed. Proceedings,25, 1761–1772.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ponder, E. 1948.Hemolysis and Related Phenomena, New York: Grune & Stratton, pp. 13–14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Szirtes, T. 1971. “Optimal Functional Characteristics of a Red Blood Cell.”Biomedical Engineering Unit Report. Montreal, Canada: McGill University.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada

    J. G. Lenard

Authors
  1. J. G. Lenard
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Lenard, J.G. A note on the shape of the erythrocyte. Bltn Mathcal Biology 36, 55–58 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02461190

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02461190

Keywords

Search

Navigation