What is the final product produced by megakaryoblasts?

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Prepare for the UCF PCB3703C Human Physiology Lab Exam 2 with our practice resources. Study with multiple-choice questions, complete with hints and detailed explanations. Ace your assessment!

The final product produced by megakaryoblasts is thrombocytes, commonly known as platelets. Megakaryoblasts are large bone marrow cells that undergo a process called endomitosis, where they replicate their DNA without undergoing cell division. This results in the formation of a megakaryocyte, which is a larger cell containing multiple copies of the nucleus.

When megakaryocytes mature, they extend projections called proplatelets into the blood vessels of the bone marrow. These proplatelets then fragment into smaller pieces, which are released into the circulation as platelets. Thus, the direct lineage from megakaryoblast to megakaryocyte to the fragmentation that results in platelets elucidates why the final product of this lineage is thrombocytes. Platelets play a crucial role in hemostasis, helping in blood clotting and wound healing, which highlights their physiological importance.