Question

Which of the following is true regarding red blood cells?

A) They are anucleate.
B) They survive for approximately one year. C) They have a biconvex shape.
D) They are produced in the spleen.
E) They primarily carry carbon dioxide.

Answer 1

Red blood cells are anucleate and have a biconcave shape, are produced in the bone marrow, live for approximately 120 days, and mainly transport oxygen.

Step-by-step explanation:

Among the statements about red blood cells (erythrocytes), the true one is that they are anucleate, meaning they have no nucleus. Red blood cells are also characterized by their biconcave shape, which optimizes the ratio of surface area to volume, facilitating efficient gas exchange. These cells are produced in the bone marrow of long bones, ribs, the skull, and vertebrae, not in the spleen. They have an average lifespan of about 120 days, after which they are broken down and recycled by phagocytic macrophages in the liver and spleen. The primary role of red blood cells is to carry oxygen, and they do so with the help of the protein hemoglobin. Although they also transport carbon dioxide, it is not their primary function.