Platelets make up ____________ of formed elements with a concentration between 150,000 and 400,000 per cubic millimeter. The pro
duction of platelets is called ____________ . From the myeloid stem cell, a committed cell called a ____________ is produced. It matures under the influence of the hormone ____________ to form a ____________ . These cells have a large size and a dense, multilobed nucleus. Each of these large cells produce long extensions from themselves called ____________ . While still attached, these extensions pass through the blood vessel wall in the red bone marrow. The force from the blood flow “slices” these extensions into ____________ .
Platelets (or thrombocytes) make up less than 1% of formed elements with a concentration between 150,000 and 400,000 per cubic millimeter. The production of platelets is called thrombopoiesis.
From the myeloid stem cell, a committed cell called a megakaryoblast is produced. It matures under the influence of thrombopoietin to form a megakaryocyte.
Megakaryocytes are easily distinguished both by their large size (about 100 micrometers [μm] in diameter) and their dense, multilobed nucleus. Each megakaryocyte then produces thousands of platelets.
The process of how megakaryoctes produce thrombocytes was in question until 2007. Researchers reported that megakaryoctes produce long extension from themselves called proplatelets.
While still attached to the megakaryoctye, these proplatelets extreough the blood vessel wall in the red bone marrow. The force from the blood flow "slices" these proplatelets into the fragments we know as platelets (thrombocytes).
