Among the options listed below, what makes red blood corpuscles red?

(a) Haemoglobin

(b) Platelets

(c) Plasma

(d) None of the above

The correct answer to this question is option (a) Haemoglobin

Erythrocytes, commonly known as red blood cells, are the cells that deliver oxygen to the tissues. Human red blood corpuscles are biconcave cells ranging 7-8 μm in size. Mature red blood corpuscles lack mitochondria, which is why they cannot use the oxygen that they are carrying.

The size and shape of erythrocytes increase the surface-area-to-volume ratio, which improves the gas exchange. Since red blood corpuscles lack a nucleus, they can use this space to accommodate haemoglobin which helps in oxygen transport. While erythrocytes take up oxygen from the lungs to distribute it to the tissues, it also takes back carbon dioxide from the tissue to the lungs.

Red blood corpuscles live for 120 days; damaged cells go to the liver and spleen, and new ones generate from the bone marrow. The production of erythrocytes are controlled by erythropoietin, a hormone.

Related Links:

• Short Notes on Erythrocytes – Definition, Structure and Function
• Red Blood Cells: Diagram and Features
• Composition of Blood and Its Functions

Visit BYJU’S Biology for more information.