The principle energy source for mature red blood cells (RBCs) is: ...

[asan beg]

The principle energy source for mature red blood cells (RBCs) is:
 
  a. The Krebs cycle
  b. The hexose monophosphate pathway
  c. ATP generated from anaerobic glycolysis
  d. Adenosine diphosphate (ADP) generated from aerobic glycolysis

Question 2

What is the fate of erythrocytes when anaerobic metabolic enzymes are reduced in concentration or absent?
 
  a. Destruction by the liver
  b. Destruction by monocytes in the blood
  c. Hemolysis
  d. Destruction by complement

[memslove]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
Anaerobic glycolysis is the pathway by which 90 to 95 of glucose is metabolized in the red cell, and ATP is generated through this pathway. The hexose monophosphate pathway, through which aerobic glycolysis occurs, is the pathway that generates reduced glutathione. Reduced glutathione is essential to prevent oxidant injury to the red cell. The Krebs cycle is no longer operational in the mature RBC.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
When metabolic enzymes in the anaerobic pathway of glycolysis are reduced or absent, energy production in the form ATP is diminished. This ultimately results in hemolysis of the RBC because the functions requiring energy in the form of ATP are not fully operational. This hemolysis occurs primarily in the spleen and so is called extravascular hemolysis (as opposed to occurring in the blood vessels, where it would be considered intravascular hemolysis).