Final answer:
Erythropoiesis is the production of red blood cells, during which erythrocytes extrude their nucleus, lose organelles, and increase hemoglobin concentration. Mature erythrocytes lack a nucleus, rely on anaerobic respiration, and have structural proteins like spectrin. The size, N:C ratio, presence of nucleoli, and cytoplasm staining change markedly through erythrocyte maturation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Erythropoiesis refers to the process of red blood cell (RBC) production, which occurs in the red bone marrow. As erythrocytes mature, they undergo several changes: they extrude their nucleus, lose most organelles, and increase the concentration of hemoglobin. Initially, an immature erythrocyte, known as a reticulocyte, may still contain some organelle remnants, such as ribosomes, detectable under a microscope. Mature erythrocytes, however, have a distinctive appearance: they lack internal organelles and nucleus, and rely on anaerobic respiration since they do not contain mitochondria.
A mature RBC is characterized by its biconcave shape and ability to deform, allowing it to navigate through capillaries. This is partly due to structural proteins like spectrin. When stained, a mature erythrocyte's cytoplasm typically appears less dark under the microscope than the nucleated cells, such as lymphocytes which readily absorb Wright stain. The N:C ratio, which refers to the ratio of the nucleus size to the cell cytoplasm, decreases markedly as the erythrocyte matures due to the extrusion of the nucleus. The stages of erythrocyte development can be studied in more detail using tools like an electron microscope or through resources like the University of Michigan's WebScope.