Final answer:
Hemolytic anemia, the answer to the question, is characterized by the increased destruction of red blood cells (RBCs) due to hemolysis, unlike aplastic anemia which is due to the underproduction of RBCs, and nutritional or pernicious anemias which are due to deficiencies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer to the question is D. Hemolytic anemia is caused by increased destruction of red blood cells from the cells rupturing. The rupturing of red blood cells is termed hemolysis. This condition may occur due to various reasons, including hereditary diseases like sickle-cell anemia, transfusion with mismatched blood types, hemolytic disease of the newborn, or due to other conditions such as lupus erythematosus.
Anemias can also be caused by faulty or decreased RBC production, as seen in conditions like iron deficiency anemia, vitamin deficiency anemia, and diseases of the bone marrow and stem cells. Aplastic anemia falls under this category, characterized by deficient numbers of RBC stem cells, and can be inherited or triggered by external factors such as radiation or medication. On the other hand, nutritional anemias and pernicious anemias are related to deficiencies in essential nutrients, like iron or vitamin B12, and are not caused by hemolysis.