Hematopoiesis

Hematopoiesis
The production of all types of blood cells generated by a remarkable self-regulated system that is responsive to the demands put upon it. The levels of the different types of the white blood cells in the granulocyte series (the neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils) are normally maintained within preset normal ranges and prompt adjustments are made in response to demands such as infections, allergic reactions, etc. In much the same way, the levels of the other types of white cells (the monocytes and lymphocytes), the platelet, and red blood cell are regulated within normal ranges and respond rapidly to demands. The monocytes respond to infections, the lymphocytes respond to immune challenges, the platelets respond to hemorrhage or inflammation, and the red blood cells (erythrocytes) respond to hypoxia (low oxygen levels). When hematopoiesis is disturbed, the first cells to drop are usually the neutrophils (which have a life span in the blood of only 6 to 8 hours) followed by platelets (with a 10-day life span). Anemia develops more slowly, over a much longer span of time (since the red blood cells have a 120-day lifespan). All types of blood cells are derived from primitive cells (stem cells) in the bone marrow. The production of blood cells is largely controlled by feedback. When the demand for production of cells of a particular type of cells increases or the levels of the cells fall in blood, stimulatory substances called cytokines are released. And the cytokines stimulate the stem cells to generate new mature blood cells. This occurs in the few days required for blood cell maturation. The production of lymphocytes is an exception to this neat scenario. Many more lymphocytes are generated daily than are needed in the blood. Most lymphocytes are destroyed during development. Thus, lymphopoiesis (the production of lymphocytes) is inefficient compared to all other hematopoiesis.
* * *

* * *

he·ma·to·poi·e·sis or chiefly Brit hae·ma·to·poi·e·sis hi-.mat-ə-pȯi-'ē-səs, .hē-mət-ō- n, pl -e·ses -.sēz the formation of blood or of blood cells in the living body called also hemopoiesis

* * *

he·ma·to·poi·e·sis (he″mə-to-) (hem″ə-to-poi-eґsis) [hemato- + -poiesis] the formation and development of blood cells. In the embryo and fetus it takes place in a variety of sites including the liver, spleen, thymus, lymph nodes, and bone marrow; from birth throughout the rest of life it is mainly in the bone marrow with a small amount occurring in lymph nodes. See also erythropoiesis, leukopoiesis, and thrombocytopoiesis. Called also hematogenesis, hemogenesis, and hemopoiesis.

Hematopoiesis. CFU-GEMM, colony-forming unit–granulocyte, erythrocyte, monocyte, megakaryocyte. BFU-E, burst-forming unit–erythroid. CFU-E, colony-forming unit–erythroid. CFU-MEG, colony-forming unit–megakaryocytic. CFU-GM, colony-forming unit–granulocyte-macrophage. CFU-EO, colony-forming unit–eosinophilic. CFU-BASO, colony-forming unit–basophilic. CFU-G, colony-forming unit–granulocytic. CFU-M, colony-forming unit–macrophage.


Medical dictionary. 2011.

Look at other dictionaries:

  • hematopoiesis — hematopoiesis. См. гемопоэз. (Источник: «Англо русский толковый словарь генетических терминов». Арефьев В.А., Лисовенко Л.А., Москва: Изд во ВНИРО, 1995 г.) …   Молекулярная биология и генетика. Толковый словарь.

  • hematopoiesis — [hem΄ə tō΄poi ē′sis, hē΄mətō΄poi ē′sis] n. [< HEMATO + Gr poiēsis, a making: see POESY] the production of blood cells by the blood forming organs hematopoietic [hem΄ə tō poiet′ik, hē΄ə tō poiet′ik] adj …   English World dictionary

  • hematopoiesis — noun Etymology: New Latin Date: circa 1854 the formation of blood or of blood cells in the living body • hematopoietic adjective …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • hematopoiesis — n. [Gr. haima, blood; poietes, maker] The formation of blood cells; also spelled haematopoiesis, haemopoiesis, hemopoiesis …   Dictionary of invertebrate zoology

  • hematopoiesis — hematopoietic /hee meuh toh poy et ik, hem euh /, adj. /hi mat oh poy ee sis, hee meuh toh , hem euh /, n. the formation of blood. Also, hemopoiesis. Also called hematogenesis. [1850 55; < NL haematopoiesis. See HEMATO , POIESIS] * * * …   Universalium

  • hematopoiesis — noun /ˌhimətoʊ.pojˈisɪs/ The process by which blood cells are produced; hematogenesis. See Also: hematopoietic …   Wiktionary

  • hematopoiesis — n. formation of blood cells, development of blood cells (Medicine) …   English contemporary dictionary

  • hematopoiesis — hem·a·to·poi·e·sis …   English syllables

  • hematopoiesis — he•mat•o•poi•e•sis [[t]hɪˌmæt oʊ pɔɪˈi sɪs[/t]] also hemopoiesis n. biochem. the formation of blood • Etymology: 1850–55 he•mat o•poi•et′ic ˈɛt ɪk adj …   From formal English to slang

  • hematopoiesis — The forming of new blood cells …   English dictionary of cancer terms

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”