Question

Red blood cells in the human bloodstream do not have mitochondria. What metabolic process would you predict these cells use to provide cellular energy (ATP)?

1) Glycolysis
2) Krebs cycle
3) Electron transport chain
4) Fermentation

Answer 1

Red blood cells in the human bloodstream rely on glycolysis to provide cellular energy (ATP) as they do not have mitochondria for aerobic respiration. If glycolysis were blocked in a red blood cell, it would result in reduced ATP production and ultimately cause the cell to die.

Step-by-step explanation:

Red blood cells in the human bloodstream do not have mitochondria, meaning they cannot perform aerobic respiration. Instead, they rely on glycolysis, which is an anaerobic metabolic process that occurs in the cytoplasm. Glycolysis breaks down glucose into pyruvate, producing a small amount of ATP in the process.

If glycolysis were blocked in a red blood cell, the cell would be unable to produce ATP through this pathway. This would lead to a decrease in ATP levels, which is necessary for the cell's functions. Ultimately, without an alternative energy source, the red blood cell would not be able to survive.