Hematopoiesis is the process that is used to create new blood cells to help replace aging blood cells. It involves developing immature cells, known as precursor cells, into working, mature blood cells that help the body to fight infection. They also help prevent excess bleeding and they carry oxygen to tissues. Many different types of blood cells exist, and the body follows specific pathways to create each type. A stem cell acts as the initial foundation to create mature cells through hematopoiesis. The body creates new blood cells in various locations, depending on a person’s age. During fetal development, hematopoiesis occurs in the liver, spleen, and bone marrow. After birth and through development, the bone marrow takes over as the main site of blood cell formation. By adulthood, hematopoiesis occurs in several main sites including the skull, the sternum, the vertebrae in the back, the pelvis, and the bones of the upper thigh. But generally speaking, it takes place in the bone marrow. In addition, it is typically controlled by cytokines. Colony-stimulating factors (like G-CSF, or granulocyte-colony stimulating factor) cause hematopoietic cells to grow. There are quite a few cells that are formed by this process. Platelets, also known as thrombocytes, help clot the blood. Clotting stops the blood from flowing out of the body when a vein or artery is broken. This is essential so you do not bleed out. Red blood cells, or erythrocytes, transport oxygen. Red blood cells are the most plentiful. In fact, a healthy adult has about 35 trillion of them. The body creates these cells at a rate of about 2.4 million a second, and they each have a life span of about 120 days. White blood cells, also known as leukocytes, help ward off infection. These cells, which come in many shapes and sizes, are vital to the immune system. When the body is fighting off infection, it produces them in ever-increasing numbers. However, compared to the number of red blood cells in the body, the number of white blood cells is low. Most healthy adults have about 700 times as many red blood cells as white blood cells. There are five different types of leukocytes: Neutrophils - protect the body by absorbing foreign substances that may attempt to enter the blood stream via the infected/injured site. Eosinophils - defend against allergens and invading pathogens. Basophils - help in the carrying out of the functions of other leukocytes as well as speeding up delivery and transportation. Monocytes - responsible for removing harmful substances from the blood while preventing foreign pathogens from entering the blood steam. Lymphocytes - protect the body by recognizing specific substances and producing antibodies to help fight that substance. These eventually develop into B and T cells. B cell - make Y-shaped antibodies that stick to the antigens and stop them by creating clumps that alert your body that there is an intruder. T cell - recognize and kill virus infect cells, help b cells make antibodies, and send chemical instructions to the rest of the immune system. Natural killer cells - helps destroy infected and/or cancerous cells. Helper T cells – help initiate the immune system but cannot kill.
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