Re: why don't red blood cells reproduce by mitosis?

Dear Lily,

This website on Erythropoiesis from the Tulane Univ. School of Medicine describes red blood cell growth & development.  The short answer to your question is that mature red blood cells, or erythrocytes, cannot undergo mitosis because they no longer have a nucleus or chromosomes.  New red blood cells must develope from immature reticulocytes, which still have their nuclei & chromosomes, and are capable of mitotic reproduction.

I hope that this is enough info. to answer your question,

Jeff