• Question: if a certian about of cells die can we die?

    Asked by hannahwinfieldxox to Dr D, Jasmine, Helen, Alexis, Mario on 18 Jun 2013. This question was also asked by saphireflames, pranay900, davinakanji.
    • Photo: Jasmine Penny

      Jasmine Penny answered on 18 Jun 2013:

      Our bodies are really active and cells are growing and dying all the time. Did you know that a red blood cell only lives for about 120 days!! Although red blood cells only last for a short time, they are constantly being replaced. Cell death would have to happen on a very large scale for us to die because our bodies work hard to keep everything regulated.

    • Photo: Andrew Devitt

      Andrew Devitt answered on 19 Jun 2013:

      It will also depend on what type of cells die. You couldn’t live without some cells. People suffering from AIDS can lose lots of a particular type of white blood cell (a T cell, or CD4 cell) and you need these cells to make a good immune response. If these die, you’ll get an infection that can kill you.

Comments