Red marrow is primarily responsible for what?

Red marrow is primarily responsible for what?

• A. Stores fat
• B. Produces blood cells
• C. Produces fat
• D. Filters toxins

Answer: (B)

Red bone marrow contains hematopoietic stem cells that give rise to all blood cells: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. This production, hematopoiesis, is essential for oxygen transport, immune defense, and clotting. In adults, red marrow is mainly in the axial skeleton and the ends of long bones; other areas mostly house yellow marrow, which stores fat. So the primary role of red marrow is producing blood cells, not storing or producing fat, and not filtering toxins (a job for liver, spleen, and kidneys).

Red bone marrow contains hematopoietic stem cells that give rise to all blood cells: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. This production, hematopoiesis, is essential for oxygen transport, immune defense, and clotting. In adults, red marrow is mainly in the axial skeleton and the ends of long bones; other areas mostly house yellow marrow, which stores fat. So the primary role of red marrow is producing blood cells, not storing or producing fat, and not filtering toxins (a job for liver, spleen, and kidneys).