Intro Medical-Surgical Nursing by Timby & Smith: Ch 30 Introduction to the Hematopoietic and Lymphatic Systems: Bone Marrow Structure and Function (Red vs. Yellow Marrow), Pluripotential Stem Cell Differentiation, Erythrocyte, Leukocyte, and Platelet Deve

Intro Medical-Surgical Nursing by Timby & Smith: Ch 30 Introduction to the Hematopoietic and Lymphatic Systems: Bone Marrow Structure and Function (Red vs. Yellow Marrow), Pluripotential Stem Cell Differentiation, Erythrocyte, Leukocyte, and Platelet Development and Lifespan, Erythropoietin Regulation, Hemoglobin and Heme Synthesis, Nutritional Requirements for Red Blood Cell Maturation (Iron, Protein, Vitamin B12, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, B6, Copper, Vitamin E), White Blood Cell Classification and Immune Function (Granulocytes and Agranulocytes) Exam Questions Verified and Provided with A+ Graded Rationales Latest Updated 2026 Hematopoiesis the manufacture, and development of blood cells Lymphocytes specific types of white blood cells Bone marrow the soft tissue that fills spaces in the interior of the long bones and spongy bones of the skeleton, manufactures blood cells Red marrow found in the ribs, sternum, skull, clavicles, vertebrae, proximal ends of the long bones, and iliac crest, manufactures blood cells and hemoglobin Yellow marrow consists of fat cells and connective tissue, does not participate in the manufacture of blood cells, unless under intense stimulation Plasma liquid, or serum, portion of blood that does not contain blood cells Pluripotential stem cells undifferentiated precursors in the bone marrow from which all blood cells develop Erythrocytes red blood cells, circulates in blood for approx 120 days Leukocytes white blood cells; life span only 1 - 2 days, thus demand for production is continuous Platelets aka thrombocytes, help control bleeding by forming a loose blood clot; life span approx 7.5 days Physical characteristics of erythrocytes: flexible, anuclear, bioconcave disks covered by a thin membrane through which O2 and CO2 pass freely Erythropoietin a hormone secreted by the kidneys that stimulates the bone marrow to produce erythrocytes Why is iron important? the basic nutritional component of heme in hemoglobin Why is protein important? the building block of hemoglobin and the exzymes involved in red blood cell production Why is folic acid and vitamin B12 important? essential for the maturation of red blood cells Why is vitamin C important? enhances the absorption of folic acid and iron Why is vitamin B6 important? serves as a coenzyme in hemoglobin formation Why is copper important? involved in the transfer of iron from storage to plasma Why is vitamin E important? protects blood cells from vitamin E-deficient hemolytic anemia Sources of Iron: lean red meats Sources of protein: lean meats, eggs, dairy, and legumes Sources of B12 animal products Sources of folic acid: dark leafy greens, citrus, beans and lentils, seeds and nuts Sources of vitamin C citrus, tomatoes, potatoes Sources of vitamin B6 fortified cereals, beef and poultry Sources of copper shellfish, grains, beans, and nuts Sources of vitamin E sunflower seeds, almonds, spinach, safflower oil, and asparagus normal range of erythrocytes 3.6 - 5.4 million/mm3; varies with age, gender and altitude hemoglobin