How is a red blood cell specialized to perform its function?

Responses

Its streamlined shape allows it to move slowly through the bloodstream.
Its streamlined shape allows it to move slowly through the bloodstream.

Its low amount of cytoplasm allows it to produce proteins rather than modify them.
Its low amount of cytoplasm allows it to produce proteins rather than modify them.

Its lack of a nucleus allows it to carry more oxygen to body tissues.
Its lack of a nucleus allows it to carry more oxygen to body tissues.

Its high number of mitochondria allows it to transport glucose.

1 answer

The specialized feature of red blood cells (erythrocytes) that allows them to perform their primary function effectively is:

Its lack of a nucleus allows it to carry more oxygen to body tissues.

Red blood cells are biconcave in shape and lack a nucleus and other organelles, which maximizes their surface area for oxygen binding and allows them to carry more hemoglobin, the protein responsible for oxygen transport. This adaptation is crucial for their role in delivering oxygen from the lungs to tissues throughout the body.