Final answer:
Variation in red blood cell size is known as anisocytosis, which is crucial for diagnosing different types of anemia and helps in assessing the overall health and oxygen delivery to tissues. The correct option is c.
Step-by-step explanation:
Variation in RBC (red blood cell) size is called anisocytosis. This condition is significant in the diagnosis of different types of anemia, which is a common health issue affecting over 3.5 million Americans. Anemias are categorized based on their cause: blood loss, faulty RBC production, or excessive RBC destruction, and a morphological approach to diagnosis often looks at the RBCs' size and shape. Tests such as the mean corpuscle volume (MCV) are utilized to determine whether RBCs are normocytic, microcytic, or macrocytic, each indicating different types of anemia.
For individuals with anemia, the reduced numbers of RBCs or hemoglobin results in lower oxygen delivery to body tissues, leading to symptoms such as fatigue, lethargy, and increased infection risk. It is essential to understand anisocytosis and its related conditions for better diagnosis and management of anemia.