How are red blood cells able to move through narrow vessels to carry oxygen throughout a multicellular organism? (1 point)
Responses
They are long and thin with a tail-like end.
They are long and thin with a tail-like end.
They are flexible because they lack a plasma membrane.
They are flexible because they lack a plasma membrane.
They are small because they lack a nucleus.
They are small because they lack a nucleus.
They are small because their organelles are smaller than those of other cells.
They are small because their organelles are smaller than those of other cells.
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The correct response is: They are flexible because they lack a plasma membrane.
The correct response is: They are flexible because they lack a plasma membrane.
Red blood cells are able to move through narrow vessels because they are flexible and can change their shape. They lack a nucleus and most other organelles, allowing them to have more space for hemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen. This lack of a plasma membrane also makes them more flexible, enabling them to squeeze through small capillaries and deliver oxygen to tissues throughout the body.
The correct response is: They are flexible because they lack a plasma membrane.
Red blood cells, also known as erythrocytes, are able to move through narrow vessels due to their unique structure and characteristics. One of the key features of red blood cells is their flexibility. Unlike most other cells in the body, red blood cells lack a nucleus and most organelles, allowing them to be highly deformable.
The absence of a nucleus and other organelles creates more space for the protein called hemoglobin, which is responsible for carrying oxygen. This lack of internal structures makes red blood cells biconcave in shape, giving them a larger surface area to volume ratio. This shape allows red blood cells to squeeze and deform as they navigate through narrow capillaries and small blood vessels in order to deliver oxygen to tissues and organs.
Furthermore, the red blood cells' plasma membrane is highly elastic, allowing them to change shape as needed and easily squeeze through tight spaces. This flexibility allows them to bend and fold to fit through small gaps and narrow passages in the circulatory system.
In summary, the flexibility of red blood cells due to the lack of a plasma membrane, nucleus, and most organelles enables them to move effectively through narrow vessels and deliver oxygen throughout the body.