Which structure is missing from a mature red blood cell that prevents it from undergoing mitosis?Multiple Choicecell membranemembrane proteinsnucleuscytoplasm

Breakdown the Problem

1. Identify the relevant cellular structures involved in mitosis.
2. Determine which structure is absent in mature red blood cells (RBCs).

Relevant Concepts

Red blood cells are unique among body cells as they lose certain organelles, including the nucleus, during their maturation. The nucleus is essential for cell division (mitosis) because it contains the genetic material necessary for replication and distribution to daughter cells.

Analysis and Detail

1. Cell Membrane: Present in all cells, including RBCs, and do not prevent mitosis.
2. Membrane Proteins: Found on the surface of cell membranes, they are important for various cellular functions but do not directly relate to mitosis.
3. Nucleus: The key structure needed for mitosis; RBCs lose their nucleus when they mature, thus preventing them from undergoing mitosis.
4. Cytoplasm: Present in all cells and is not the limiting factor for mitosis.

Verify and Summarize

The nucleus is the structure that is missing from mature red blood cells, which prevents them from undergoing mitosis.

Final Answer

The correct answer is nucleus.