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All blood cells in an adult human can trace their ancestry to which compartment within the body?

A) thymus
B) Bone marrow
C) lymph node
D) Peyer's Patch

User SebastianR
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

All blood cells in an adult human originate from the red bone marrow, where hematopoietic stem cells give rise to various blood cells. B cells fully mature in the bone marrow, while T cells migrate to the thymus for maturation.

Step-by-step explanation:

All blood cells in an adult human can trace their ancestry to the bone marrow, particularly the red bone marrow. Within the red bone marrow, hematopoietic stem cells give rise to various types of blood cells including erythrocytes (red blood cells), leukocytes (white blood cells), and thrombocytes (platelets). The lymphocytes, which are part of the adaptive immune system, including both B cells and T cells, are initially formed in the bone marrow. B cells mature almost entirely in the red bone marrow, while T cells begin their development there but move to the thymus for maturation.

During fetal development, the yolk sac, liver, spleen, and lymph nodes are all involved in the production of blood cells, but after birth, the bone marrow assumes the primary role in hematopoiesis. The yellow bone marrow, on the other hand, is mainly involved in energy storage, largely consisting of fat cells. Hence, the correct answer to the student's question is B) Bone marrow, where all blood cells originate and some also mature.

User Snazzybouche
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