What do erythroblasts give rise to?

Erythroblasts are precursor cells in the process of erythropoiesis, which is the formation of red blood cells (erythrocytes). These erythroblasts undergo several stages of maturation in the bone marrow, ultimately leading to the production of erythrocytes. During this process, erythroblasts progressively lose their nucleus and other organelles, allowing for the formation of the functional, anucleate red blood cells that are essential for oxygen transport in the bloodstream.

In the context of hematopoiesis, which is the process of blood cell formation, erythroblasts specifically contribute to the lineage that develops into erythrocytes, distinguishing their role from that of other blood cell types such as thrombocytes (which are derived from megakaryocytes), leukocytes (originating from different types of progenitor cells), and myelocytes (which are precursors to certain types of white blood cells, specifically granulocytes). This developmental pathway clearly aligns erythroblasts with the production of red blood cells, confirming that the correct answer pertains to erythrocytes.