How red blood cells are suitable for carriying out their function?

Answer 1

Red blood cells or erythrocytes are specialised to their function in four ways:

1. Cytoskeleton: They have unique cytoskeleton proteins which give them their biconcave shape. This increases the surface area comparing to volume which helps to exchange gases easily. It also makes them flexible, which allows them to pass through the tiny capillaries.
2. Haemoglobin: Red blood cells are almost entirely filled with haemoglobin, a protein which can bind oxygen and CO2 (but not at the same time).
3. No nucleus or mitochondria: This frees up additional space and allows them to carry more haemoglobin.
4. Reduction systems: Each haemoglobin molecule carries four iron (Fe) ions. These need to be kept in a reduced state (Fe2+ rather than Fe3+) in order to be able to bind oxygen. Apart from haemoglobin, red blood cells contain a set of enzymes which helps to keep the iron reduced.