Hematopoiesis (The formation of Blood Cells)
Where Does it Happen?
• Occurs in the Red Bone Marrow• Red Bone Marrow is Found in the flat
bones of the:1. Pelvis2. Ribs3. Sternum4. Ends of the Femur and Humerus in adults.
How is it controlled?
• Each blood cell type is produced according to need
• Levels of the hormone Erythropoietin (EPO) control the rate of RBC production
• EPO is produced by the kidneys
How does EPO work?
• We always have a little EPO flowing through us to ensure constant RBC production
• If Oxygen levels fall, levels of EPO rise and more RBC’s are produced
• The increase in EPO stimulates the red bone marrow to produce the new cells
• High levels of oxygen in the blood will lower the amount of EPO and slow down RBC production
The Hematocytoblast
• Common stem cell that gives rise to all the formed elements of blood
• Located in the red bone marrow• Forms two types of cells1. Lymphoid Stem cell- produces all lymphocytes2. Myeloid Stem Cell- produces all other formed elements (RBC’s plasma)
Formation and Destruction of Red Blood Cells
Process Diagrams Step-by-Step
Copyright © 2007 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Red blood celldeath andphagocytosis
Key:in blood
in bile
Macrophage inspleen, liver, orred bone marrow
1
Globin
Red blood celldeath andphagocytosis
Key:in blood
in bile
Macrophage inspleen, liver, orred bone marrow
Heme2
1
Aminoacids
Reused forprotein synthesisGlobin
Red blood celldeath andphagocytosis
Key:in blood
in bile
Macrophage inspleen, liver, orred bone marrow
Heme
3
2
1
Aminoacids
Reused forprotein synthesisGlobin
Red blood celldeath andphagocytosis
Transferrin
Fe3+
Key:in blood
in bile
Macrophage inspleen, liver, orred bone marrow
Heme
4
3
2
1
Aminoacids
Reused forprotein synthesisGlobin
Red blood celldeath andphagocytosis
Transferrin
Fe3+
Liver
Key:in blood
in bile
Macrophage inspleen, liver, orred bone marrow
FerritinHeme
54
3
2
1
Aminoacids
Reused forprotein synthesisGlobin
Red blood celldeath andphagocytosis
Transferrin
Fe3+
Fe3+ Transferrin
Liver
Key:in blood
in bile
Macrophage inspleen, liver, orred bone marrow
FerritinHeme
654
3
2
1
Aminoacids
Reused forprotein synthesisGlobin
Red blood celldeath andphagocytosis
Transferrin
Fe3+
Fe3+ Transferrin
Liver
+Globin
+Vitamin B12
+Erythopoietin
Key:in blood
in bile
Macrophage inspleen, liver, orred bone marrow
FerritinHeme Fe3+
7
654
3
2
1
Aminoacids
Reused forprotein synthesisGlobin
Circulation for about120 days
Red blood celldeath andphagocytosis
Transferrin
Fe3+
Fe3+ Transferrin
Liver
+Globin
+Vitamin B12
+Erythopoietin
Key:in blood
in bile
Erythropoiesis inred bone marrow
Macrophage inspleen, liver, orred bone marrow
FerritinHeme Fe3+
8
7
654
3
2
1
Aminoacids
Reused forprotein synthesisGlobin
Circulation for about120 days
Red blood celldeath andphagocytosis
Transferrin
Fe3+
Fe3+ Transferrin
Liver
+Globin
+Vitamin B12
+Erythopoietin
Key:in blood
in bile
Erythropoiesis inred bone marrow
Macrophage inspleen, liver, orred bone marrow
FerritinHeme
Biliverdin Bilirubin
Fe3+
9
8
7
654
3
2
1
Aminoacids
Reused forprotein synthesisGlobin
Circulation for about120 days
Bilirubin
Red blood celldeath andphagocytosis
Transferrin
Fe3+
Fe3+ Transferrin
Liver
+Globin
+Vitamin B12
+Erythopoietin
Key:in blood
in bile
Erythropoiesis inred bone marrow
Macrophage inspleen, liver, orred bone marrow
FerritinHeme
Biliverdin Bilirubin
Fe3+
10
9
8
7
654
3
2
1
Aminoacids
Reused forprotein synthesisGlobin
Stercobilin
Bilirubin
Urobilinogen
Feces
Smallintestine
Circulation for about120 days
Bacteria
Bilirubin
Red blood celldeath andphagocytosis
Transferrin
Fe3+
Fe3+ Transferrin
Liver
+Globin
+Vitamin B12
+Erythopoietin
Key:in blood
in bile
Erythropoiesis inred bone marrow
Macrophage inspleen, liver, orred bone marrow
FerritinHeme
Biliverdin Bilirubin
Fe3+
12
111
0
9
8
7
654
3
2
1
Aminoacids
Reused forprotein synthesisGlobin
Urine
Stercobilin
Bilirubin
Urobilinogen
Feces
Smallintestine
Circulation for about120 days
Bacteria
Bilirubin
Red blood celldeath andphagocytosis
Transferrin
Fe3+
Fe3+ Transferrin
Liver
+Globin
+Vitamin B12
+Erythopoietin
Key:in blood
in bile
Erythropoiesis inred bone marrow
Kidney
Macrophage inspleen, liver, orred bone marrow
Ferritin
Urobilin
Heme
Biliverdin Bilirubin
Fe3+
13
12
111
0
9
8
7
654
3
2
1
Aminoacids
Reused forprotein synthesisGlobin
Urine
Stercobilin
Bilirubin
Urobilinogen
Feces
Largeintestine
Smallintestine
Circulation for about120 days
Bacteria
Bilirubin
Red blood celldeath andphagocytosis
Transferrin
Fe3+
Fe3+ Transferrin
Liver
+Globin
+Vitamin B12
+Erythopoietin
Key:in blood
in bile
Erythropoiesis inred bone marrow
Kidney
Macrophage inspleen, liver, orred bone marrow
Ferritin
Urobilin
Heme
Biliverdin Bilirubin
Fe3+
14
13
12
111
0
9
8
7
654
3
2
1