× Didn't find what you were looking for? Ask a question
Top Posters
Since Sunday
g
2
Home Q & A Board Biology-Related Homework Help Cell Biology
New Topic  
tpogproductio tpogproductio
wrote...
Posts: 3
Rep: 0 0
12 years ago
Erythrocytes (red blood cells) have no nucleus, mitochondria, or other organelles are ejected when the RBC enters the bloodstream, or shortly thereafter. Should this still be considered a cell? What will be the effect of having no nucleus? In these cells, the lack of mitochondria is an advantage. why?
Read 667 times
2 Replies

Related Topics

Replies
wrote...
#1
12 years ago
> Should this still be considered a cell?
That's an opinion question, and my opinion is "no."
It's a bag of hemoglobin.  No metabolism.  Not alive.
I try not to call it "cell" and instead use the terms "erythrocyte" and "corpuscle."> What will be the effect of having no nucleus?> the lack of mitochondria is an advantage. why?
Minimal chemistry going on in there.  No manufacture of new proteins.  Anaerobic glycolysis only (not using the oxygen they're carrying).
Lacking these things means that the erythrocyte has one function:  carrying gases using hemoglobin.

It is very good at that.  Without the organelles, it's more bendable and can fit through smaller capillaries (bird red blood cells have nuclei, and birds have larger capillaries than mammals).
wrote...
#2
12 years ago
yes. RBCs are considered cells. the effect of having no nucleus is that there will be no cell activities such as cell division. the nucleus controls gene expression and mediates DNA replication during the cell cycle. since they don't have a nucleus, they cannot synthesis proteins. thats the reason why RBCs are manufactured in the red bone marrow. the other reason why they don't have a nucleus is to maximize the size of oxygen that is carried by hemoglobin.
New Topic      
Quick Reply
Bold
Italic
Underline
Strikethrough
Subscript
Superscript
Insert Math Equation
Font Name
Font Color
Align left
Center
Align right
Bullet list
Numbered list
Insert a horizontal rule
Insert a table
Insert a Quote
View source
Explore
Post your homework questions and get free online help from our incredible volunteers
  2213 People Browsing
Start New Topic Take the Tour CoursesNew Study Tools Topics Trending Browse by Textbook
Related Images
  
 502
  
 429
  
 3995
Your Opinion
Which 'study break' activity do you find most distracting?
Votes: 891
Previous poll results: Where do you get your textbooks?