What is bone marrow and what does it do?

Bone marrow is the soft, spongy tissue inside large bones (femur, sternum, hip bones).

Two types:

• Red bone marrow: Produces all blood cells (red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets) process called haematopoiesis.
• Yellow bone marrow: Mostly fat; energy reserve; can convert to red marrow in emergencies.

At birth: mostly red. With age: converts to yellow.

Conditions like leukaemia disrupt bone marrow function.

Bone marrow is the blood cell factory inside bones, producing red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.