DOI: https://doi.org/10.22184/1993-8578.2023.16.3-4.180.184

Erythrocytes are one of the favorite objects of study in probe microscopy. First, they are easily accessible, do not require long and complex sample preparation, and, most importantly, they are replete with distinctive features that can be used in clinical diagnostics. When red blood cells circulate in the blood, they need to pass through narrow capillary openings much smaller than their own cross-sectional size. The elastic properties of the membrane allow it to pass through the bloodstream and deliver the necessary substances. The ratio of surface area to volume, the viscosity of the cytoplasm, and the internal deformability of membranes affect the ability of red blood cells to transform and pass through narrow spaces. Therefore, the morphological, structural and physical characteristics of blood cells are becoming increasingly important in the study of various diseases or in assessing the risk of their development.