Why do rbc not have a nucleus

Losing the nucleus enables the red blood cell to contain more oxygen-carrying hemoglobin, thus enabling more oxygen to be transported in the blood and boosting our metabolism. The presence of a nucleus makes most fish, amphibian, reptile and bird red blood cells oval-shaped. Without nuclei, mammal red blood cells adopt unique shapes. Skip to content Miscellaneous. February 8, Joe Ford. Table of Contents. Red blood cells look like flat disks that travel around the body in blood vessels.

They carry oxygen to tissues and remove carbon dioxide from them. Hemoglobin plays an important role in red blood cells, because it carries the oxygen that nourishes cells and takes away carbon dioxide to prevent it from accumulating in cells. In the mature form, red blood cells, or erythrocytes, do not have nuclei; however, they have not always been without nuclei.

In their immature forms, red blood cells did have nuclei. Due to this loss of a nucleus and other organelles, blood cells cannot repair themselves when damaged; this limits their lifespan to about days. When they enter the bloodstream for the first time, they eject their nuclei and organelles, so they can carry more hemoglobin, and thus, more oxygen. Without nucleus the cell will lose its control. It can not carry out cellular reproduction.

Also, the cell will not know what to do and there would be no cell division. Gradually, the cell may die. Skip to content Helpful tips.