Question

The reason behind why mature human RBCs cannot divide or metabolise is

• A. because they carry oxygen
• B. because they are present in blood stream
• C. because they lack nucleus
• D. because they are biconcave in shape

Answer 1

The correct option is C because they lack nucleus

Red blood cells (RBCs) or erythrocytes are cells which are responsible for the transportation of oxygen and carbon dioxide. RBCs have a characteristic biconcave shape. Erythropoiesis is the process of maturation of RBCs. One of the steps in erythropoiesis includes extrusion of nucleus from RBCs. Thus, a mature human RBC lacks a nucleus.
Nucleus is known as the ‘brain’ of a cell. It regulates all the activities that takes place in a cell. Absence of nucleus means no cell division. Such a cell lacks any kind of metabolism. Thus, absence of nucleus is the correct reason behind why RBCs cannot divide or metabolise.