Question

Which of the following statement(s) is/are TRUE about Red Blood Cells (RBCs)? a) A normal RBC has a nucleus RBCs' production is controlled by erythropoietin b) A RBC will survive on average about 220 days c) Mature RBCs are released into the bloodstream after approximately seven days RBCs are produced in the bone marrow

Answer 1

Answer:

RBCs' production is controlled by erythropoietin.

Mature RBCs are released into the bloodstream after approximately seven days RBCs are produced in the bone marrow

Explanation:

The hormone erythropoietin is produced and released in the bloodstream by peritubular interstitial cells of kidneys. The function of erythropoietin is to increase the number of the precursors of red blood cells and thereby to stimulate the production of red blood cells in the bone marrow. When the oxygen supply to body cells is reduced, the hormone erythropoietin stimulates the development of proerythroblasts into reticulocytes and thereby increases the RBC production.

RBCs are produced by the process of erythropoiesis and take about seven days to become mature and to be released in circulation to serve the function of oxygen delivery. The maturation of RBCs also includes the loss of most of the organelles such as the nucleus and mitochondria to accommodate hemoglobin protein. The life span of circulating RBCs is about 100-120 days.