The pluripotent, undifferentiated cells in the bone marrow that give rise to the formed elements are called __ cells.
A plasma
B stem
C dendritic
D mast
E helper
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is B. stem cells.
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that have the potential to develop into many different types of cells. In the context of blood formation, the pluripotent stem cells located in the bone marrow are responsible for giving rise to all of the formed elements in the blood, such as red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. These stem cells are called hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs).
Hematopoiesis, the process by which blood cells are formed, occurs primarily in the bone marrow, and it starts with these pluripotent stem cells. These stem cells are considered pluripotent because they can differentiate into various types of blood cells, depending on the signals they receive during the differentiation process.
The process of hematopoiesis is tightly regulated and involves several stages. The hematopoietic stem cells first differentiate into either myeloid or lymphoid progenitor cells. Myeloid progenitor cells give rise to red blood cells (erythrocytes), platelets (thrombocytes), and various types of white blood cells, including neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, and monocytes. Lymphoid progenitor cells, on the other hand, give rise to lymphocytes, which include T cells, B cells, and natural killer cells. These cells all play crucial roles in the immune system.
Stem cells in the bone marrow are vital for the continuous production of blood cells throughout an individual’s life. In fact, without stem cells, the body would not be able to replace old or damaged blood cells, leading to serious health issues. Stem cell therapy, including stem cell transplants, has become a critical tool for treating various blood disorders, such as leukemia and lymphoma, by restoring the patient’s ability to produce healthy blood cells.