T. Clark Brelje, Ph.D.
University of Minnesota
Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development
6-160 Jackson Hall
321 Church St SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Robert L. Sorenson, Ph.D.
University of Minnesota
Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development
6-160 Jackson Hall
321 Church St SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
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Red blood cells (erythrocytes) transport oxygen to cells and remove carbon dioxide from the same cells.
A red blood cell is a biconcave (i.e., dumbell) disc (~7.8 µm diameter) as seen in this section through its middle.
Plasma Membrane - network of deformable cytoskeletal proteins bound to the interior of the plasma membrane.
Nucleus - absent in mature (human) red blood cells. Extruded during development (erythropoiesis).
Organelles - absent in mature red blood cells.
Use anaerobic glycolysis as an energy source because of the absence of mitochondria.
Cytoplasm - contains a high concentration of hemoglobin and a limited number of enzymes for cell maintenance.
Uniform granular appearance of high electron density due to the iron atoms in hemoglobin.
Reticulocytes are immature red blood cells without a nucleus but contain some ribosomes, mitochondria, and granules. (Typically, 1 to 2% of circulating red blood cells.