Which term describes the formation of red blood cells?

• A. Erythrocyte
• B. Erythroderma
• C. Leukopoiesis
• D. Erythropoiesis

Answer: (D)

The process of forming red blood cells is called erythropoiesis. Here, "erythro-" means red and "-poiesis" means production or formation, so it describes the production of erythrocytes in the bone marrow, primarily regulated by erythropoietin in response to low oxygen. An erythrocyte is the mature red blood cell, not the process. Erythroderma is skin redness, and leukopoiesis is the formation of white blood cells. So erythropoiesis is the correct term for the formation of red blood cells.