Question

Give scientific reasons for the following statements:

A mammalian erythrocyte lacks nucleus and mitochondria

Answer 1

Erythrocytes:

1. They are also called the red blood corpuscles or the RBCs and are biconcave in shape.
2. They are one of the formed elements of the blood.
3. They contain a protein called hemoglobin which carries oxygen to the various parts of the body.
4. Hemoglobin imparts the red color to the RBCs.

Reason for lack of nucleus and mitochondria in RBCs:

1. RBCs lack nucleus, mitochondria and other cell organelles in order to accommodate maximum amount of hemoglobin so as to carry more oxygen to the tissues of the body.
2. The lack of organelles and nucleus make them biconcave in shape thereby helping in the process of diffusion of oxygen.