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Erythropoietin is the hormone responsible for the production of red blood cells. It is secreted by the cells of the kidney. Erythropoietin protects the red blood cells from destruction and is also helpful in the differentiation process of red blood cells which eventually leads to the formation of haemoglobin.
The red blood cell production is increased by the erythropoietin whose prime function is to stimulate the bone marrow cells. This process is known by the name Erythropoiesis. Some important points to remember on erythropoietin are:
- A very small variation in the production of this hormone can cause a huge impact on the body of a human being.
- There are specialized cells in the kidney that can detect low oxygen levels indicated by elevated production of erythropoietin.
- The mechanism of erythropoietin production is adaptive wherein a low oxygen level promotes increased erythropoietin production.
- This can be easily observed among trekkers who experience hypoxia at high altitudes due to the reduction in air pressure. The erythropoietin production is hampered due to deprivation of oxygen or poor ventilation of the lungs causing hypoxia.
Thus, erythropoietin is vital in maintaining homeostasis in the human body. Levels of this hormone are checked through an erythropoietin test.
Also Read: Pulmonary Hypertension
MCQs
Ques. 1 Which blood cell is produced by the hormone erythropoietin?
- WBC
- Platelets
- RBC
- None of the above
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Ans. (C ) RBC
Explanation- Erythropoietin, a hormone produced inside the kidney is responsible for the production of red blood cells. It is also produced inside hepatocytes.
Also Read: Blood Composition
Ques. 2 What is the adequate plasma level of erythropoietin in blood?
- 5.5 to 18.4 milliunits per milliliter
- 2.6 to 18.5 milliunits per milliliter
- 9.8 to 16.5 milliunits per milliliter
- 1.00 to 12.00 milliunits per milliliter
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Ans. (B) 2.6 to 18.5 milliunits per milliliter
Explanation- The adequate level of plasma level of erythropoietin in the blood is 2.6 to 18.5 milliunits per milliliter. Higher and lower levels than this can lead to diseases such as anemia and apoptosis respectively whereas its overproduction leads to a disease known as polycythemia.
Also Read: White Blood Cells
Ques. 3 The production of higher levels of erythropoietin in the body leads to________.
- Cancer
- Hypertension
- Diabetes
- Anemia
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Ans. (D) Anemia
Explanation- Anemia is a disease caused due to a higher level of erythropoietin. The higher level of erythropoietin indicates a lower concentration of haemoglobin.
Also Read: RBC Vs WBC
Ques. 4 Which part of the human body is known as the 'Graveyard’ of red blood cells?
- Spleen
- Intestine
- Kidney
- Thymus
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Ans. (A) Spleen
Explanation- After the completion of the life span, it is in the spleen that the RBCs are destroyed by the ingestion of macrophages.
Also Read: Circulatory System in Human Beings
Ques. 5 What is the relation between the erythropoietin hormone and haemoglobin?
Select the correct statement from the following:
- The level of erythropoiesis decreases when the concentration of haemoglobin increases
- The level of erythropoietin also decreases when the concentration of haemoglobin decreases
- The level of erythropoietin increases when the concentration of haemoglobin decreases
- The level of erythropoietin also increases when the concentration of haemoglobin increases
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Ans. (C ) The level of erythropoietin increases when the concentration of haemoglobin decreases
Explanation- The higher level of erythropoietin indicates a lower level of concentration of haemoglobin. This means the person is anemic since his or her body doesn't have adequate blood levels.
Also Read: Transportation in Human Beings
Ques. 6 Which is the disease caused due to the overproduction of erythropoietin hormone in the human body?
- Anemia
- Polycythemia
- Leukemia
- Circulatory hypoxia
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Ans. (B) Polycythemia
Explanation- The excess production of erythropoietin leads to an increase in RBC count. It results in a decrease in oxygen content in the blood. In a few individuals, polycythemia shows no particular symptom while in others it can cause joint pain, itching, dizziness, and so on.
Also Read: Bones in the Human Body
Ques. 7 Which is the disease caused due to the deficiency of erythropoietin hormone in the human body?
- Sickle Cell anemia
- Leukemia
- Apoptosis
- Circulatory hypoxia
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Ans. (C ) Apoptosis
Explanation- The decreased amount of erythropoietin hormone results in the disease known as apoptosis. The amount of erythropoietin in the blood can be determined by taking an erythropoiesis test.
Also Read: Blood Coagulation
Ques. 8 Which of the following produce erythropoietin other than the kidney?
- Pancreas
- Hepatocytes
- Liver
- Spleen
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Ans. (D) Spleen
Explanation- Other than the kidney, it is hepatocytes that produce erythropoietin. It is the major parenchymal cell that is seen inside the liver.
Also Read: Blood Vessels
Ques. 9 Natural way of dropping the level of erythropoietin in the blood is___________.
- Massaging thorax part
- Massaging the abdomen
- Massaging the area around the kidney
- None of the above
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Ans. (C ) Massaging the area around the kidney
Explanation- Massaging the area around the kidney stimulates the adrenal gland which is situated just above the kidney. This increases the blood flow and thereby increases the production of erythropoietin.
Also Read: Blood Clotting
Ques. 10 How is the deficiency of erythropoietin treated?
- By taking pills
- By massaging the area around the kidney
- By taking injections of erythropoietin
- By taking capsules
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Ans. (C ) By taking injections of erythropoietin.
Explanation- The deficiency of erythropoietin can be treated only by taking injections. Although, sometimes it can take weeks for the body to respond to this and reduce the symptoms related to this disease.
Also Read: Plasma Vs Serum
Ques. 11 Which of the following can control and coordinate secretion of erythropoietin?
- The number of RBC
- Oxygen
- The concentration of haemoglobin
- Proteins
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Ans. (B) Oxygen
Explanation- It is the lack of oxygen that helps in the production of erythropoietin. This is when the oxygen level in the blood is very low and erythropoietin is produced.
Also Read: Monocytes Vs Lymphocytes
Ques. 12 What is another name for erythropoiesis?
- Coagulation
- Haemopoiesis
- Leucopoiesis
- Chemotaxis
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Ans. (B) Haemopoiesis
Explanation- Haemopoiesis is the alternate name for erythropoiesis. However, there is a difference between the two. Hematopoiesis is the production of mature blood cells, whereas, erythropoiesis is the production of mature erythrocytes.
Also Read: Open Type Circulatory System
Ques. 13 In the fetus, the production of erythropoietin takes place in ________.
- Red bone marrow
- Kidney
- Liver and spleen
- Lymph nodes
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Ans. (C ) Liver and spleen
Explanation- In the human body, erythropoiesis takes place in the kidney while inside a fetus' body, it takes place in both the liver and spleen.
Also Read: Reproductive System in Humans
Ques. 14 What indicates the high level of erythropoietin in blood?
- All cells are getting an adequate amount of oxygen
- Cells are not getting an adequate amount of oxygen
- High blood pressure
- Low blood pressure
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Ans. (B) Cells are not getting an adequate amount of oxygen.
Explanation- The high level of erythropoietin causes a decrease in the concentration of haemoglobin in the blood. It is haemoglobin that binds oxygen and transports it to different body parts. If the level of haemoglobin decreases, cells will not get adequate amounts of oxygen.
Also Read: Connective Tissues
Ques. 15 What is the primary function of Erythropoietin?
- Reducing Hypertension
- Development of Red Blood Cells
- Development of White Blood Cells
- Stimulates the production of Platelets
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Ans. (B) Development of Red Blood Cells
Explanation- The primary function of erythropoietin is to help in the development of red blood cells by stimulating the bone marrow cells.
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