how do red blood cells get their energy? (since they don't have cell organelles)

Question

abhisar · Answer

RBCs don't have cellular organelles in order to have more space for haemoglobin. They produce energy via glycolysis of glucose and then lactic acid fermentation of pyruvate formed.

abhisar · Answer

PS: This pathway is anaerobic and thus doesn't require mitochondria.

anonymous · Answer

thank you :) and one more thing... i thought that the organelles are missing so then RBCs can "flow" through the tiniest capillaries... aren't they?

abhisar · Answer

As I said they don't have organelles in order to have space for haemoglobin. But yes they are one of the smallest living cells. (I think they are the smallest after sperm cells).