An immature cell in the bone marrow that will develop into mature blood cells. These rapidly dividing cells are the precursors to all blood cell types and are normally found only in small numbers.
From Greek 'blastos' meaning germ or bud, first used in the late 1800s. The term reflects these cells' role as the 'budding' or beginning stage of blood cell development, emphasizing their potential for growth and differentiation.
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