Question

Differentiate between Hematopoiesis and hemolysis.

Answer 1

The production of blood cells by the body is referred to as the hemopoiesis and, hemolysis as the name suggests is the lysis or destruction of the red blood cells.

Complete answer:
All the cellular constituents of blood as well the blood plasma are produced through the process of hemopoiesis. It occurs in the organs like spleen, liver and bone marrow which together constitute the hematopoietic system. The process begins before the birth of the child that is in the developmental stage of the embryo. The process of hemopoiesis continues throughout the life of an individual.
On the other hand in hemolysis, the worn out erythrocytes or the red blood cells are ruptured thereby releasing their cytoplasmic contents into the bile pigments present in the blood plasma surrounding the cells. The process may either occur outside or in the lab also. Certain fungi or pathogenic bacteria are known to produce toxins that can cause hemolysis. These toxins are known as the hemolysins. These toxins cause lysis by damaging the cytoplasmic membranes of red blood cells which may eventually result in death of the particular cell. Moreover, an extreme physical exercise may also cause hemolysis. It often occurs in organs like spleen and liver.

Note: Hematopoiesis starts during the course of development of embryo. A stem cell develops plasma as well as all the blood cells. An enormous number of medical conditions are responsible for hemolysis occurring inside the body. It includes genetic disorders like Sickle-cell disease, some autoimmune disorders like atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, drug-induced hemolytic anemia, etc.