Cord blood contains stem cells that are responsible for the development of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. These are:

• A. Hematopoietic stem cells
• B. Embryonic stem cells
• C. Neural stem cells
• D. Mesenchymal stem cells

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that blood cell formation comes from hematopoietic stem cells, which are multipotent and capable of self-renewal. These stem cells give rise to all blood lineages: erythroid progenitors become red blood cells, myeloid and lymphoid progenitors give white blood cells, and megakaryocytes produce platelets. Cord blood is a well-known source of these hematopoietic stem cells, which is why they’re responsible for forming all three blood components. Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent and can form cell types from all germ layers, not specifically blood cells. Neural stem cells produce neural lineages, and mesenchymal stem cells form bone, cartilage, fat, and connective tissue.