Do red blood cells divide?
Dan Ruzzel, my student, chased after me one afternoon and excitedly told me that he had one big question: "Sir, do red blood cells divide?" Again as a generalist, I looked at him and replied: "What do you think?"
Dan: "I think they do, because all cells undergo mitosis."
Me: "Do they have nucleus?"
Dan: "Of course, all cells have nucleus otherwise they are not cells."
Me: "Prokaryotic cells do not have nucleus, remember?"
Dan: "So what do you think, sir?"
Me: "I think they do not divide. I am not sure. Kindly research for that."
This is indeed one of the dillemas of generalist science teachers. When specifics are asked, we are caught on a 'heuristic' and probe on the probable answers by roaming around through inquiry approach. Only to find out at the end that we are still limited.
By the way, I made some researches and here's what I got:
From wiki answers:
Red blood cells actually don't go through mitosis, for that very reason. Instead, they are produced by other cells inside the bone marrow.
Too mature or too old or used blood cells do not reproduce via mitosis. They are too damaged or old to do the mitosis process so they just can't either they die or they just fall to a side.
No. Red blood cells lack nucleus and its sole purpose is to carry oxygen until its demise. Because of this, red blood cells are produced by pluripotent stem cells in your bone marrow.
No, they don't need it. RBC are made in bone marrow and destroyed in the spleen; they pick up and drop off gases based on oncotic pressures and concentration gradients. No control or maintenance.
It was also interesting to discover some facts about cell division. Some cells divide rapidly and frequently, some divide sporadically and some do not divide at all after birth. Here's what I've got from www.blurtit.com
"The human body contains a huge range of cells ~ over 300 different types. Some divide often through life, others divide only infrequently and some do not divide at all after birth.
The most actively dividing cells are found in areas of the body that receive a lot of wear and tear. The cells in the living layer at the base of the skin divide often to replenish the cells of the skin that are lost all the time. The skin is the barrier of the body that protects it from injury and prevents the entry of dangerous substances and microorganisms. It is tough and constantly renewed.
The cells that line the digestive system, particularly the intestines are also amongst the rapid dividers. The constant movement of food through the digestive system causes cells to be damaged and lost and constant repair is necessary.
Cells in organs such as the heart do not divide in the adult, except in cases where disease or trauma causes damage. Cells in the nervous system and the brain do not divide after birth, which is why an injury to the spine is usually irreversible."
Dan: "I think they do, because all cells undergo mitosis."
Me: "Do they have nucleus?"
Dan: "Of course, all cells have nucleus otherwise they are not cells."
Me: "Prokaryotic cells do not have nucleus, remember?"
Dan: "So what do you think, sir?"
Me: "I think they do not divide. I am not sure. Kindly research for that."
This is indeed one of the dillemas of generalist science teachers. When specifics are asked, we are caught on a 'heuristic' and probe on the probable answers by roaming around through inquiry approach. Only to find out at the end that we are still limited.
By the way, I made some researches and here's what I got:
From wiki answers:
Red blood cells actually don't go through mitosis, for that very reason. Instead, they are produced by other cells inside the bone marrow.
Too mature or too old or used blood cells do not reproduce via mitosis. They are too damaged or old to do the mitosis process so they just can't either they die or they just fall to a side.
No. Red blood cells lack nucleus and its sole purpose is to carry oxygen until its demise. Because of this, red blood cells are produced by pluripotent stem cells in your bone marrow.
No, they don't need it. RBC are made in bone marrow and destroyed in the spleen; they pick up and drop off gases based on oncotic pressures and concentration gradients. No control or maintenance.
It was also interesting to discover some facts about cell division. Some cells divide rapidly and frequently, some divide sporadically and some do not divide at all after birth. Here's what I've got from www.blurtit.com
"The human body contains a huge range of cells ~ over 300 different types. Some divide often through life, others divide only infrequently and some do not divide at all after birth.
The most actively dividing cells are found in areas of the body that receive a lot of wear and tear. The cells in the living layer at the base of the skin divide often to replenish the cells of the skin that are lost all the time. The skin is the barrier of the body that protects it from injury and prevents the entry of dangerous substances and microorganisms. It is tough and constantly renewed.
The cells that line the digestive system, particularly the intestines are also amongst the rapid dividers. The constant movement of food through the digestive system causes cells to be damaged and lost and constant repair is necessary.
Cells in organs such as the heart do not divide in the adult, except in cases where disease or trauma causes damage. Cells in the nervous system and the brain do not divide after birth, which is why an injury to the spine is usually irreversible."
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