Achromatocyte

/ə,kroʊ'mætəsaɪt/ noun

Definition

A red blood cell that lacks hemoglobin or has lost its normal color, appearing pale or ghost-like under a microscope.

Etymology

From Greek 'a-' (without) + 'chroma' (color) + 'kytos' (cell). A medical term combining elements from ancient Greek medical terminology with modern cell biology vocabulary.

Kelly Says

These are basically 'zombie' red blood cells—they look like red blood cells but have lost their color and their main job (carrying oxygen), which doctors use as a clue that something has gone wrong with blood health.

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