Blood and immunity: erythropoietin target cell: practice question

A Physiology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Physiology · Blood and immunity: erythropoietin target cell

Sample item

In a patient with chronic kidney disease, erythropoietin therapy raises the reticulocyte count. Which marrow cell type is the main target of erythropoietin?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Committed erythroid progenitors (CFU-E)

Erythropoietin acts mainly on committed erythroid progenitors, the CFU-E and late BFU-E, preventing apoptosis and promoting proliferation and maturation. It does not act on mature red cells in the circulation.

Option by option

  • A. Pluripotent haematopoietic stem cells

    Stem cells depend mainly on stem cell factor and other early-acting cytokines.

  • B. Committed erythroid progenitors (CFU-E) (correct)

    Correct. Erythropoietin supports survival and growth of erythroid progenitors.

  • C. Megakaryocytes

    Megakaryocytes depend on thrombopoietin.

  • D. Mature erythrocytes in the circulation

    Mature red cells have no nucleus and do not respond to erythropoietin.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Physiology question

What is the answer to this Physiology question?

The best answer is B, Committed erythroid progenitors (CFU-E). Erythropoietin acts mainly on committed erythroid progenitors, the CFU-E and late BFU-E, preventing apoptosis and promoting proliferation and maturation.

Why is "Pluripotent haematopoietic stem cells" not the answer?

Stem cells depend mainly on stem cell factor and other early-acting cytokines.

Why is "Megakaryocytes" not the answer?

Megakaryocytes depend on thrombopoietin.

Why is "Mature erythrocytes in the circulation" not the answer?

Mature red cells have no nucleus and do not respond to erythropoietin.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Blood and immunity: erythropoietin target cell in Physiology. It does not act on mature red cells in the circulation.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Blood and immunity: erythropoietin target cell?

For each system, sketch the key graph (pressure–volume loop, oxygen dissociation curve, nephron handling) and explain it aloud. Then use the flashcards and the other Physiology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.