Final answer:
Mature erythrocytes, or red blood cells, do not contain organelles. They lose most of their organelles, including the nucleus and mitochondria, during maturation. Structural proteins are present to maintain shape for circulation, but the correct answer to whether erythrocytes contain organelles is 'No'.
Step-by-step explanation:
Do Erythrocytes Contain Organelles?
Erythrocytes, or red blood cells (RBCs), do not contain organelles when they are mature. As an erythrocyte matures, it loses its nucleus and most of its organelles before entering the circulation. Reticulocytes, or immature erythrocytes, may retain some organelle remnants for a brief period, but these are quickly shed. Mature erythrocytes thus rely on anaerobic respiration, lacking mitochondria.
They do not have endoplasmic reticula and cannot synthesize proteins. Nonetheless, erythrocytes contain structural proteins like spectrin, which help them maintain their shape and navigate through capillaries. So, with respect to the question, the answer is 2) No, mature erythrocytes do not contain organelles.
In reference to the multiple-choice question provided:
- a. They have no nucleus.
- b. They are packed with mitochondria.
- c. They survive for an average of 4 days.
- d. All of the above
The correct answer is a. They have no nucleus, since mature erythrocytes are void of a nucleus and do not contain mitochondria, and they typically survive in the circulation for about 120 days, not 4 days. Therefore, b and c are incorrect.