Question

The hormone erythropoietin
A. Delays the maturation of RBC
B. Accelerates the production of RBC and Hb
C. Reduces the affinity of Hb towards ${{O}_{2}}$
D. Delays the production of protein heme

Answer 1

Erythropoietin is a glycoprotein cytokine hormone that is secreted by the kidney. Its secretion is mainly stimulated by cellular hypoxia. It is also called hematopoietin. Erythropoiesis cannot take place without erythropoietin. It initiates the formation of the blood cell that carries oxygen.

Complete answer: Blood is a major component of all the life processes taking place in the body. The main function of blood is the transportation of gases and wastes from cells to the outside of the body. Oxygen which is the most essential cellular component is transported by red blood cells present in the blood. A decrease in levels of red blood cells causes a deficiency in the adequate oxygen supply at the tissue level. This condition is called hypoxia. Hypoxia is the key initiator or stimulus for the production of erythropoietin. Erythropoietin or hematopoietin is a glycoprotein hormone that plays a key role in erythropoiesis. Erythropoiesis is the process of the formation of red blood cells inside the bone marrow. Without erythropoietin, erythropoiesis cannot take place. Thus, it is an essential factor that accelerates the production of RBC and Hb or haemoglobin. The hematopoietic stem cells lie in an inactive or latent state unless they are triggered by erythropoietin to turn into red blood cells. The precursor cells for blood are proerythroblasts and they carry membrane receptors for erythropoietin. The binding of erythropoietin induces a series of metabolic reactions resulting in differentiation or specialization.
Therefore, the correct answer is option B.

Note: Erythropoietin can be produced in-vitro that is in the lab with the help of recombinant DNA technology. The recombinant types of erythropoietin are collectively called ESA or erythropoiesis-stimulating agents. It can be used in the treatment of anaemia and in cases of cancer, chronic kidney disease, etc.