What Are the Functions of Bone Marrow?
The chief function of bone marrow is the production of blood cells, all of which have different functions. Red blood cells carry oxygen and carbon dioxide; white blood cells fight infection; and platelets assist in clot formation. Each cell in the blood has a limited life span. For example, red blood cells live for only about 120 days. Some white blood cells only live a few hours. When the cell is too old to function, it is removed from circulation by the immune system. The bone marrow is then responsible for replacing that lost cell. Every day, thousands of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets are removed from circulation and replaced by the bone marrow. The process of blood cell formation and development is called hematopoiesis. Bone marrow also responds to various needs of the body by producing new blood cells. If more white blood cells are needed to fight infection, or to assist in some healing process, then the normal bone marrow increases the production of the specifi
