In bone marrow, which cell can give rise to platelets and is larger than most other blood cells?

In bone marrow, which cell can give rise to platelets and is larger than most other blood cells?

• A. Platelets
• B. Megakaryocyte
• C. Lymphocyte
• D. Monocyte

Answer: (B)

Thrombopoiesis in the bone marrow is driven by megakaryocytes, large cells that become polyploid to build up a vast cytoplasm. These cells extend protrusions that fragment into tiny, anucleate platelets, which slip into the bloodstream through the bone marrow’s vessels. This is why the cell that can give rise to platelets and is larger than most other blood cells is the megakaryocyte. Platelets themselves are the small fragments produced by these cells, while lymphocytes and monocytes are other types of white blood cells and do not generate platelets.

Thrombopoiesis in the bone marrow is driven by megakaryocytes, large cells that become polyploid to build up a vast cytoplasm. These cells extend protrusions that fragment into tiny, anucleate platelets, which slip into the bloodstream through the bone marrow’s vessels. This is why the cell that can give rise to platelets and is larger than most other blood cells is the megakaryocyte. Platelets themselves are the small fragments produced by these cells, while lymphocytes and monocytes are other types of white blood cells and do not generate platelets.