Science Word Wednesday: Hematopoiesis

Sep 30, 2020
By Sara Lowe

Hematopoiesis

(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. 

Stichting MS in beeld. Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for MS. (2018). https://www.msinbeeld.nl/en/hematopoietic-stem-cell-%E2%80%8Btransplantation-for-ms/

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

Edited by Anna Wheless and Emma Goldberg