The yellow and red bone marrow is present as the soft spongy tissues in the centre of the bone. This tissue is semi-solid and is present in birds and mammals. It comprises hematopoietic cells, marrow adipose tissue and stromal cells. 500 billion blood cells a day are produced by the human marrow.
Key Takeaways
- Red bone marrow is responsible for producing blood cells.
- Yellow bone marrow comprises fat cells and serves as an energy reserve.
- Red bone marrow is found mainly in the flat bones and ends of long bones, while yellow bone marrow is found in the central cavities of long bones.
Red Bone Marrow vs Yellow Bone Marrow
The difference between red bone marrow and yellow bone marrow is that the red bone marrow produces white and red blood cells, and the yellow bone marrow works to store fat. Hematopoiesis is a process where the blood is produced by the bone marrow. The red bone marrow helps in that process. The bone marrow not just produces blood but is an important part of the lymphatic system.
The flat bones have red bone marrow present inside them. The bone that is formed in our hips, the bones on our shoulders and our ribs have red bone marrow. It is one of the crucial bone marrow of the body. This red bone marrow gets its red colour from haemoglobin.
Long bones are the places where the yellow bone marrow is found. Mainly, it lies in the interior hollow part of the bones. So, what are long bones? The ones that are present in the legs and arms. Also, the age factor determines the conversion of red bone marrow to yellow bone marrow as well.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Red Bone Marrow | Yellow Bone Marrow |
|---|---|---|
| Where it is located in | It is present in the Hip bones, breast bone, skull, ribs and shoulder blades | It is present in long bones such as legs and shoulders |
| What Does It Produce | It produces Red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets | It does not produce anything |
| Functions | It produces and develops red and white blood cells | It saves blood and acts as a reservoir and uses it when required when in emergencies |
| Other Names | It is called medulla ossium rubra | It is called ossium Flava |
| Occurs in | Spongy bones | Compact bones |
What is Red Bone Marrow?
What is inside these bones that are soft and spongy? They are the red bone marrow present there. It is very vital for our body as it produces blood cells. We have two types of blood cells present which are white and red.
These white and red blood cells are produced by the red bone marrow. At birth, this marrow is primarily red. The spongy bones have red blood marrow, and they are present in the bones of the shoulder blade, bones of the spine, ribs and skull.
Hematopoietic stem cells are present in the red bone marrow. These stem cells function in the generation of other blood cells. It produces two other stem cells called Lymphoid and Myeloid stem cells.
The red bone marrow releases these blood cells after maturation. These are called white and red blood cells. These red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen to the organs and the lungs. The White blood cells work towards strengthening the immune system and fighting viruses and bacteria.
According to the Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia Society, sixty to seventy per cent of the red blood cells are produced by the red bone marrow
What is Yellow Bone Marrow?
Yellow bone marrow is found to be located in the shoulder and leg bones which are long. They function as a reservoir of fat. They not only store fat but also produce red blood cells in case of emergencies or life-threatening situations. During rapid blood loss, this yellow bone marrow supports.
This yellow bone marrow exists in the long bone. It is present inside the interior of those bones. When the body faces extreme situations of severe blood loss and hunger, this yellow bone marrow works.
At the stage of adolescence, this yellow bone marrow later replaces the red bone marrow. It is present inside the compact bones. The yellow bone marrow stores fats. These fats present there are called adipocytes. These fats are converted into energy, and it is utilized.
Most of the adult bodies contain only yellow bone marrow. Just as the red bone marrow has stem cells, even the yellow bone marrow has it. They are called mesenchymal stem cells.
When we are young, the red bone marrow stays red, and as we grow older in our adolescent period, this marrow transforms into the yellow bone marrow.
Main Differences Between Red and Yellow Bone Marrow
- The red bone marrow is called ossium rubra, and the white blood cells are called ossium flava. The red bone marrow is located in the skull, spine, shoulder blades, ribs and sternum. The white blood cells are located in the long bones, such as the legs and shoulders.
- The bones have a spongy texture inside, and the red bone marrow is located there, whereas the white bone marrow is present in the centre of the long bones.
- The red bone marrow gets the red colour from haemoglobin, and the yellow bone marrow is yellow in colour due to the carotenoids.
- The red bone marrow is present in the younger years, and the yellow bone marrow replaces the red bone marrow in the adolescent period.
- The red bone marrow is found to be rich in blood supply, and the yellow bone marrow is low in blood supply. The red bone marrow produces blood cells, and the white bone marrow stores fat.
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306987707001132
- https://science.sciencemag.org/content/169/3942/291.abstract
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I’m amazed at the primary functions of the red bone marrow, especially in the production of vital blood cells.
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The details about the haematopoietic stem cells in the red bone marrow are particularly interesting.
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I never really understood the difference between red and yellow bone marrow before, but this is very clear.
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I didn’t know that yellow bone marrow can produce red blood cells in emergencies, very informative post.
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The post provides a comprehensive overview of bone marrow functions.