Cytoplasm in Red Blood Cell: 7 Facts You Should Know

Cytoplasm is a thick liquid solution found in all the cells present in living organisms. Let us discuss if red blood cells has cytoplasm in it in details below.

Red blood cells contain cytoplasm which normally consists of water, proteins and certain ions such as magnesium. It holds other cell materials and organelles inside the cells. RBC’s or erythrocytes which are also called the blood cells are rich in hemoglobin protein.

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Structure of red blood cells in Wikipedia

Red blood cells are devoid of nucleus which gives more space for the cytoplasm inside and also aid in transportation of more oxygen. The cytoplasm in red blood cells is the site where most of the cellular activities takes place.

Let us discuss where exactly is cytoplasm located in RBC, if it has hemoglobin, its funtions and many more related aspects in this article.

Where is cytoplasm located in red blood cells?

Cytoplasm inside the cell is covered with membrane that keeps the internal components intact inside the cells. Let us see where precisely cytoplasm is located in RBC.

Cytoplasm is present all over inside the red blood cells. Red blood cells are entirely filled with the cytoplasm which is a viscous liquid inside the cells. Proteins inside the RBC’s are present in the cytoplasm which helps in its activation and function of transportation of oxygen.

Does cytoplasm of red blood cells have hemoglobin?

Cytoplasm of cells have various organelles. Let us see if cytoplasm of red blood cells have hemoglobin.

Cytoplasm of red blood cells is rich in hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a protein containing iron which binds to the oxygen. Red blood cells are red in colour because of the presence of hemoglobin.

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Structure of hemoglobin Image from Wikipedia

Function of cytoplasm in red blood cells

Presence of cytoplasm is necessary for the cells to function properly. Let us discuss in details the functions of the cytoplasm inside red blood cells.

Listed below are some of the functions of cytoplasm in red blood cells.

  • Cytoplasm maintains the fluidity of the cell.
  • It provides integrity to the cell shape and size.
  • It carries proteins and is a site for cellular processes.
  • Cytoplasm in red blood cells helps in oxygen transportation.
  • Cytoplasm in red blood cells does not contain any organelle which makes the cells flexible to pass through small vessels.
  • Cytoplasm inside the cells helps in holding the cell components together and also protects them from any damage.

How much of the cytoplasm of red blood cells have hemoglobin?

The cytoplasm of red blood cells constitutes organelles in specific proportions. Let us see how much of the cytoplasm of RBC have hemoglobin.

Hemoglobin forms around 95% of the total cytoplasm present inside the red blood cells. Other constituents include enzymes, non-hemoglobin proteins and cytoskeletal stroma.

Does a red blood cell have a vacuole?

Red blood cells are flat and round. Let us discuss whether red blood cells have vacuoles.

Red blood cells do not have vacuoles, they have cytoplasm which is almost entirely composed of hemoglobin. Vacuoles are small membrane bound organelles which generally stores cell waste products.

The main purpose of red blood cells is to carry the oxygen and carbon dioxide via hemoglobin. To serve this purpose RBC’s do not carry any type of organelle such as mitochondria, nucleus, vacuoles, etc.

Conclusion

To conclude the article, we can say that red blood cells are filled with cytoplasm. The main constituent of cytoplasm is hemoglobin and other constituents include, nonhemoglobin proteins, enzymes and cytoskeletal stroma.

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