Question

Leukemia is a form of cancer that affects a. lymphatic tissue. b. bone tissue. c. blood-forming cells. d. nervous system structures.

Short answer

Leukemia is a form of cancer that affects blood-forming cells, also known as hematopoietic stem cells. These cells are responsible for the production of all types of blood cells, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Thus, the correct answer is (c) blood-forming cells.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding Leukemia

Leukemia is a type of cancer that originates in blood or bone marrow, and affects the body's ability to produce healthy blood cells. Generally, it affects the white blood cells, which are responsible for fighting infections and other diseases within the body.

Analyzing the Answer Choices

Now that we know leukemia affects the blood cells, let's analyze each answer choice to find the correct one: a. lymphatic tissue: Lymphatic tissue is part of the immune system and is responsible for filtering lymph, which is a fluid that carries white blood cells. Despite being an essential part of the immune system, it's not the primary site where leukemia originates. b. bone tissue: Bone tissue is responsible for providing support, protection, and movement to the body. Although bone marrow (found within bones) plays a significant role in blood production, leukemia specifically targets blood-forming cells, not the bone tissue itself. c. blood-forming cells: Blood-forming cells, also known as hematopoietic stem cells, are responsible for the production of all types of blood cells - red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Leukemia affects these cells, causing them to malfunction and produce unhealthy blood cells in excessive amounts. d. nervous system structures: The nervous system structures, including the brain and spinal cord, play essential roles in transmitting information and controlling various body functions. While some types of cancers can affect the nervous system, leukemia is not one of them.

Identifying the Correct Answer

Based on our analysis and understanding of leukemia, the correct answer is: c. blood-forming cells.

Key concepts

Blood-Forming Cells

Blood-forming cells, commonly referred to as hematopoietic stem cells, are crucial components of our body's circulatory and immune systems. These cells are found primarily in the bone marrow, a spongy tissue located within the cavities of bones.

These amazing cells have the ability to develop into any type of blood cell. This includes:

• Red blood cells (erythrocytes) that transport oxygen throughout the body.
• White blood cells (leukocytes) which fight off infections and diseases.
• Platelets (thrombocytes) that assist with blood clotting.

In the context of leukemia, these blood-forming cells become cancerous and rapidly multiply, leading to an excess of abnormal blood cells that cannot perform their standard functions. This disrupts the balance of normal blood cell production and function.

White Blood Cells

White blood cells, also known as leukocytes, are vital for the body's immune defense mechanism. These cells circulate in the blood and are predominantly produced in the bone marrow from blood-forming cells.

White blood cells come in various types, each specializing in different protective roles:

• Lymphocytes, which include T-cells and B-cells, are essential for targeting viruses and other pathogens.
• Neutrophils, which are the first responders to infections, focusing on bacteria and fungi.
• Monocytes, which develop into macrophages and work to engulf and digest pathogens and debris.
• Eosinophils and basophils, which are involved in allergic reactions and fighting parasites.

When leukemia affects these cells, their capability to fight infections is severely hampered, leading to an increased risk of infections due to the presence of numerous dysfunctional white cells.

Hematopoietic Stem Cells

Hematopoietic stem cells are a type of stem cell found largely in the bone marrow, and they serve as the precursors to all blood cells. These stem cells possess a unique ability: they can self-renew, meaning they can both replicate themselves and differentiate into specific types of blood cells.

This ability is essential for maintaining the body's blood supply. However, in leukemia, hematopoietic stem cells can transform into cancerous cells. This transformation leads to an overproduction of immature blood cells, particularly white blood cells, which disrupts the normal balance and function of blood cells.

Understanding hematopoietic stem cells and their role in blood cell production and regeneration is critical in grasping how leukemia affects the body. The stem cell dysfunction in leukemia highlights the importance of these cells in maintaining blood health.