Final answer:
Platelets are produced by megakaryocytes in the red bone marrow through the process of hemopoiesis. They are vital for blood clotting and are removed from the bloodstream by the liver and spleen after a short lifespan.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Platelet Production
Platelets play a crucial role in blood clotting and are a product of the hematopoiesis process in the red bone marrow. Although platelets are often referred to as cells, they are in fact small fragments of larger cells known as megakaryocytes. Megakaryocytes are large cells that stay within the bone marrow and are responsible for the production of platelets. They originate from myeloid stem cells and produce thousands of platelets, which then enter the bloodstream to aid in clotting. The liver and spleen are responsible for the removal of platelets after their lifespan of approximately ten days.
The process of hemopoiesis is continuous, as the formed elements it produces - erythrocytes (red blood cells), leukocytes (white blood cells), and platelets - have short lifespans. This process is vital as it ensures the body maintains a sufficient supply of these crucial components of blood. In adults, hemopoiesis predominantly occurs in the red marrow found in the cranial and pelvic bones, the vertebrae, the sternum, and the proximal epiphyses of the femur and humerus.