In humans, the immune system begins to develop in the embryo. The immune system starts with hematopoietic (from Greek, " blood-making") stem cells. Stem cells differentiate into the major players in the immune system (granulocytes, monocytes, and lymphocytes). Stem cells also differentiate into cells in the blood that are not involved in immune function, such as erythrocytes (red blood cells) and megakaryocytes (for blood clotting).