Question

Why dothe red blood cells of the human body do not have a nucleus ?

Answer 1

Red blood cells are initially produced in the bone marrow with a nucleus. They then undergo a process known as enucleation in which their nucleus is removed. Enucleation occurs roughly when the cell has reached maturity. The absence of a nucleus helps the red blood cell to carry on its role of the ‘oxygen-transporter’ in a far more efficient way. It allows the red blood cell to contain more hemoglobin and, therefore, carry more oxygen molecules. It also allows the cell to have its distinctive bi-concave shape which aids diffusion. This shape would not be possible if the cell had a nucleus in the way. Because of the advantages it gives, it is easy to see why evolution would cause this to occur.