Final answer:
Erythropoietin (EPO) is a hormone produced by the kidneys that stimulates the production of red blood cells in the bone marrow to increase oxygen delivery in the body. It is not produced by the pancreas, as mentioned in the question. Used medically to treat anemia, the illicit use of EPO in sports, known as blood doping, increases blood viscosity and risks thromboembolic events.
Step-by-step explanation:
Erythropoietin (EPO) is a glycoprotein hormone that is primarily produced by the kidneys in response to low oxygen levels in blood. The role of EPO is to stimulate the bone marrow to produce more red blood cells (RBCs), which carry oxygen to tissues throughout the body. The pancreas, contrary to the statement in the question, does not produce EPO.
Erythropoiesis is the process where EPO influences the differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells into the erythrocyte lineage in the bone marrow, particularly targeting the colony-forming unit-erythroid (CFU-E), which eventually become mature RBCs. This hormone is critical for maintaining adequate oxygen levels in the blood and is often used medically to treat certain forms of anemia. However, the misuse of synthetic EPO, especially in the realm of sports for blood doping, is considered illegal and dangerous due to an increased risk of thromboembolic events caused by an increase in blood viscosity.
The correct answer to the question about erythropoietin's potential danger when used to enhance athletic performance is a. Erythropoietin increases blood viscosity, which makes it difficult for blood to circulate within the body.