Home > Anatomy & Physiology > Blood/Hematologic System

Do circulating red blood cells have a nucleus?

Answer 1

Mature erythrocytes (red blood cells) do not have a nucleus.

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.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Answer 2

Austin Alexander

No, circulating red blood cells in mammals do not have a nucleus.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Answer from HIX Tutor

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.