what would happen if RBCs
had mitochondria
Answers
Explanation:
To answer this question, first, we need to know about the role of RBC and mitochondria.
The main purpose of RBC is to transport oxygen from the lungs to the body's other tissues and cells. The hemoglobin found in the RBC is a protein that binds itself to the oxygen molecules inhaled.
Hemoglobin removes oxygen from areas with high oxygen levels and delivers it to areas of the body with low oxygen levels. Mitochondria’s principal role is to perform cellular respiration. This means that the cell takes in nutrients, breaks it down and transforms it into energy. The cell then uses this energy in order to perform different functions. Mitochondria are known as the powerhouse of the cell.
Additional information:RBCs have hemoglobin which takes up huge space inside them. If mitochondria are found in RBC, then hemoglobin will have a space deficiency.
The proper oxygen-carrying capacity of RBCs is affected. RBC transfers oxygen from the lungs to other organs. If mitochondria are found in the RBC, then mitochondria will use all the oxygen that had to be transferred to other organs as mitochondria require oxygen for ATP synthesis.
But the RBC has no mitochondria instead they use glucose to produce all the energy (ATP) by glycolysis.
Note: If RBCs had mitochondria then mitochondria would use up all the oxygen instead of taking it to all the cells in the body and the cell would not have oxygen.