There are two types of bone marrow:
* Red bone marrow is responsible for the production of red blood cells (erythrocytes), white blood cells (leukocytes), and platelets (thrombocytes).
* Yellow bone marrow is composed primarily of fat cells and has a limited role in blood cell production.
The purpose of bone marrow is to produce blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body, white blood cells fight infection, and platelets help to stop bleeding. Bone marrow also stores minerals, such as calcium and phosphorus, and releases them into the bloodstream when needed.
Bone marrow is a vital organ that plays an important role in our overall health. Without bone marrow, we would not be able to produce blood cells and would eventually die from anemia or infection.