Question

How are mature and non – matured RBCs distinguished?

(a) Mature RBCs are biconcave while non – mature RBCs are round

(b) Mature RBCs have mitochondria while non – mature RBCs do not have mitochondria

(c) Mature RBCs have nucleus while non – mature RBCs do not have nucleus

(d) Mature RBCs have haemoglobin while non – mature RBCs do not have haemoglobin

I have been asked this question during a job interview.

This is a very interesting question from Components of Blood topic in chapter Pathology of Clinical Science

Answer 1

The correct option is (a) Mature RBCs are biconcave while non – mature RBCs are round

To elaborate: When an RBC is produced in the bone marrow of the long bones, it is round in shape. It has a nucleus and a mitochondira. However, once the RBC matures, it looses its nucleus and mitochondira. Thus, the RBC are unable to reproduce by cell division or produce energy for themselves. Since the nucleus is usually the biggest organelle, the loss of nucleus makes the RBC become biconcave.