Do circulating red blood cells have a nucleus?
1 Answer
Apr 13, 2017
Mature erythrocytes (red blood cells) do not have a nucleus.
Explanation:
When red blood cells ( erythrocytes ) are produced in the bone marrow, they do have nuclei, but these are expelled as the cells mature to make room for the increasing haemoglobin that is required for the primary function of the red blood cells - oxygen transfer.
As a consequence of not having a nucleus, erythrocytes cannot multiply or perform more intricate functions like cell repair, and they have a shorter life-span.
