By Sara Lowe
(Noun. /hee-ma-do-po-EE-sis/.)
What does it mean?
Hematopoiesis is the process in which a stem cell will develop into any type of new blood cell based on external factors that affect the organism.
Stem cells that undergo hematopoiesis are called hematopoietic stem cells.
An example that would initiate hematopoiesis would be if a person got ill (external factor). This person would need to produce more white blood cells to fight off the illness, which would come from hematopoiesis.
How do I use it in a sentence?
In humans, hematopoiesis occurs in the bone marrow to form blood cells. The bones where hematopoiesis occurs differ in children and adults.
Etymology
Term is derived from two Greek words: haima (blood) and poiēsis (to produce something).
Field of study
Immunology, transplants
