Question

Give reason for the following:

A matured mammalian erythrocyte lacks nucleus and mitochondria.

Answer 1

RBC:

1. RBCs are also known as erythrocytes.
2. They play an important role in oxygen transport in the human body.
3. RBCs are biconcave enucleated blood cells.
4. They contain a special type of red pigment called hemoglobin.
5. Mature RBCs lack cell organells.

Nucleus and mitochondria are absent in mature RBC:

1. This enucleated condition of RBC made them biconcave which increases their surface area to absorb the respiratory gases (CO₂ and O₂).
2. RBCs lack mitochondria that ensure anaerobic respiration in them.
3. This condition makes them transport oxygen easier because they can not use oxygen for their respiration.