How does a mature RBC of a mammal differ from that of other vertebrates?
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Avian and fish world have nucleated red blood cells while mammalian animals extract the nucleus and use the red cells solely to carry oxygen.
Mammals don’t have to fly so they provide breeding services and a nursery in their bones that carries most of the load in making blood cells. The liver and spleen are called into service ONLY WHEN NECESSARY.
So that explains why birds might keep their nucleus in red cells … their bones are hollow for flight…. but what about pisces (fishes) … what’s there advantage?? I can think of two:
Fish don’t have any hiding places from predators bites … having red cells with nuclei will have an immediate fill in of cells that can DEVOLVE back into germinal cells to repair the damage.
Having less dense bones is OK when you are suspended in a thicker medium that helps support your weight.
The advantage for mammals is the red blood cells are very good at their only task … that of carrying oxygen to the tissues … important if you have to run long distances to wear down prey.
Mammals don’t have to fly so they provide breeding services and a nursery in their bones that carries most of the load in making blood cells. The liver and spleen are called into service ONLY WHEN NECESSARY.
So that explains why birds might keep their nucleus in red cells … their bones are hollow for flight…. but what about pisces (fishes) … what’s there advantage?? I can think of two:
Fish don’t have any hiding places from predators bites … having red cells with nuclei will have an immediate fill in of cells that can DEVOLVE back into germinal cells to repair the damage.
Having less dense bones is OK when you are suspended in a thicker medium that helps support your weight.
The advantage for mammals is the red blood cells are very good at their only task … that of carrying oxygen to the tissues … important if you have to run long distances to wear down prey.
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