Bone Marrow - Important points to know 

Bone marrow is a soft, spongy tissue found in the center of bones. It is responsible for producing blood cells, including red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.

Red blood cells carry oxygen to tissues throughout the body.  White blood cells fight infection.  Platelets help to stop bleeding. 

RBCs, WBCs and Platelets

Bone marrow is made up of two types of cells:  Hematopoietic cells: These cells are responsible for producing blood cells. Stromal cells:  These cells provide support and nutrients for the hematopoietic cells. 

Types of Bone Marrow Cells

Hematopoietic cells in the bone marrow divide and mature into different types of blood cells.  The process of blood cell production is called hematopoiesis.   The first step in hematopoiesis is the production of stem cells.  Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that have the potential to develop into any type of blood cell.

How bone marrow works?

The three main types of blood cells produced by bone marrow are:  Red blood cells: Red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen to tissues throughout the body. They are made up of haemoglobin, a protein that binds oxygen.   White blood cells: White blood cells fight infection. There are many different types of white blood cells, each with a specific function.  Platelets: Platelets help to stop b leeding. They are small, cell-like fragments that clump together to form a plug at the site of a bleeding wound. 

Types of blood cells

There are a number of disorders that can affect bone marrow, including: 

Bone marrow disorders

Anaemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells. This can lead to fatigue, shortness of breath and pale skin. 

Anaemia

Leukaemia is a cancer of the white blood cells. It can cause a number of symptoms, including fatigue, fever, and easy bruising. 

Leukemia

Aplastic anaemia is a condition in which the bone marrow does not produce enough blood cells. This can lead to fatigue, shortness of breath, and pale skin. 

Aplastic anaemia