Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) Practice Exam

What is leukopoiesis?

1. Increase in the production of WBC

2. Synthesis of white cells

3. Non-nucleated

4. Destruction of WBC

The correct answer is: Increase in the production of WBC

Leukopoiesis refers to the process of producing white blood cells (WBCs), which are crucial components of the immune system. The correct understanding encompasses not just the increase in production but the entire biological process by which these cells are formed from precursor cells in the bone marrow. While "synthesis of white cells" may seem similar, it does not fully convey the entirety of the process and focus on the production aspect as clearly as stating the increase. The term itself comes from “leuko,” meaning white, and “poiesis,” meaning making or formation. This highlights that leukopoiesis is fundamentally about the development and proliferation of these immune cells in response to physiological needs, such as during an infection or in response to inflammatory signals. The other options refer to either unrelated processes—like the destruction of WBCs, which is part of the immune response, or "non-nucleated," a characteristic not relevant to the overall definition of leukopoiesis. Understanding leukopoiesis is essential for grasping how the body maintains its immune defenses and responds to various challenges effectively.