Question

Red blood cells lack mitochondria. These cells process glucose to lactate, but they also generate CO2.CO2. What do red blood cells accomplish by producing lactate? energy production in the form of ATP protection against oxidative stress regeneration of NADH maintenance of reduced glutathione How can red blood cells generate CO2CO2 if they lack mitochondria? fatty acid oxidation coupled with the citric acid cycle glycolysis coupled with ethanol fermentation glycolysis coupled with the citric acid cycle the pentose phosphate pathway coupled with gluconeogenesis

Answer 1

Answer:

For the first question:

Red blood cells produce lactate as a result of glycolysis under anaerobic conditions, which results in generating ATP. Hence, the option "energy production in the form of ATP" is correct.

Second question:

Red blood cells lacking mitochondria means that they are unable to carry out the process of cellular respiration. $CO_{2}$ produced is a result of "the pentose phosphate pathway coupled with gluconeogenesis", since the red blood cells can only survive on glucose. These pathways are critical for the red blood cells.

Hope that answers the question, have a great day!