Final answer:
Mature red blood cells (RBCs) are more fragile and prone to damage because they lack organelles necessary for repair and division, having a lifespan of about 120 days. Each RBC carries a large amount of hemoglobin, making them highly efficient at oxygen transport.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks what is most likely true about mature red blood cells (RBCs). RBCs are known for lacking nuclei and mitochondria, which is a unique adaptation that allows for increased capacity to carry hemoglobin. As there are no organelles, such as a nucleus or mitochondria, mature RBCs cannot undergo cell division or maintain cellular repair, which makes them more fragile and prone to damage. Mature RBCs, therefore, have a relatively short lifespan of about 120 days before being destroyed and recycled by the body, particularly in the liver and spleen. They are highly efficient at oxygen transport due to the vast amount of hemoglobin they can carry; each RBC contains approximately 250 million molecules of hemoglobin and can carry one billion molecules of oxygen.
In summary, the correct answer to the question regarding RBCs is D) RBCs are more fragile and prone to damage because they lack the organelles necessary for repair and division, leading to a shorter, defined lifespan.