Final answer:
Hematopoiesis is the biological process of producing new blood cells in the red bone marrow and includes differentiation from hematopoietic stem cells into red and white blood cells and platelets, regulated by hemopoietic growth factors.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hematopoiesis (also spelled 'hemopoiesis') is the process by which new blood cells are formed. It occurs within the red bone marrow of bones such as the pelvis, ribs, and vertebrae. During hematopoiesis, pluripotent hematopoietic stem cells undergo differentiation to become the various cells of the blood system, including red blood cells (erythrocytes), white blood cells (leukocytes), and platelets. Important chemical signals known as hemopoietic growth factors guide this process, ensuring that blood cell production matches the body's needs.
The entire process involves the proliferation and differentiation of multipotent cells into blood and immune cells. These multipotent cells, given the right stimuli, divide to produce myeloid and lymphoid stem cells, with the myeloid line giving rise to erythrocytes, various white blood cells, and platelets, while the lymphoid line specifically gives rise to lymphocytes, such as B cells, T cells, and NK cells. Through hematopoiesis, the body maintains a delicate balance of these cells, continuously replacing the short-lived components of blood, which is vital for oxygen transport, immunity, and wound healing.