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Questions and Answers
What is the primary function of platelets in the body?
What is the primary function of platelets in the body?
What is the typical range of normal platelet counts in the bloodstream?
What is the typical range of normal platelet counts in the bloodstream?
What happens in the body when a blood vessel is cut?
What happens in the body when a blood vessel is cut?
Which term best describes the process of stopping bleeding?
Which term best describes the process of stopping bleeding?
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What role do platelets play during hemostasis?
What role do platelets play during hemostasis?
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What is the primary function of thrombin in the blood clotting mechanism?
What is the primary function of thrombin in the blood clotting mechanism?
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Which enzyme is responsible for activating prothrombin?
Which enzyme is responsible for activating prothrombin?
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In the blood clotting sequence, which substance is acted upon by prothrombin activator?
In the blood clotting sequence, which substance is acted upon by prothrombin activator?
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What type of protein is fibrinogen before it is acted upon by thrombin?
What type of protein is fibrinogen before it is acted upon by thrombin?
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Which of the following best describes the relationship between prothrombin and thrombin?
Which of the following best describes the relationship between prothrombin and thrombin?
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What is the primary role of the vascular spasm in hemostasis?
What is the primary role of the vascular spasm in hemostasis?
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Which statement accurately describes the formation of a platelet plug?
Which statement accurately describes the formation of a platelet plug?
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What is the significance of factor X in blood clot formation?
What is the significance of factor X in blood clot formation?
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What is the end result of both the extrinsic and intrinsic pathways in the blood coagulation process?
What is the end result of both the extrinsic and intrinsic pathways in the blood coagulation process?
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What role do the chemicals secreted by platelets play during the formation of a platelet plug?
What role do the chemicals secreted by platelets play during the formation of a platelet plug?
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Study Notes
Platelets
- Platelets, also called thrombocytes, are the second most abundant formed elements in blood.
- The average person has between 150,000 and 400,000 platelets per microliter of blood.
Hemostasis: The Process of Stopping Bleeding
- Hemostasis is the process of stopping bleeding.
- The process involves three main steps: vascular spasm, platelet plug formation, and blood clot formation.
Vascular Spasm
- When a blood vessel is injured, smooth muscle fibers in the wall of the vessel spasm.
- This constriction of the blood vessel slows the flow of blood.
Platelet Plug Formation
- A break in a blood vessel creates a rough surface.
- This rough surface triggers changes in passing platelets, making them sticky.
- Sticky platelets adhere to the vessel wall and to each other, forming a platelet plug.
- Platelets release chemicals that further constrict the vessel and attract additional platelets.
- The platelet plug acts as a temporary seal in the injured vessel.
Blood Clot Formation
- Coagulation, or blood clotting, involves a complex series of chemical reactions using proteins called clotting factors.
- Blood clotting is necessary to create a more stable seal in the injured vessel.
Pathways of Blood Clot Formation
- Extrinsic Pathway: Clotting factors are released from areas outside of the blood (extrinsic).
- Intrinsic Pathway: Clotting factors are activated from within the blood (intrinsic).
- Both pathways activate Factor X.
- Once Factor X is activated, the formation of a blood clot begins.
End Result of Both Pathways
- The end result of both the extrinsic and intrinsic pathways is the formation of prothrombin activator.
- Prothrombin activator converts the inactive protein prothrombin into the active enzyme thrombin.
- Thrombin converts the soluble plasma protein fibrinogen into insoluble fibrin threads.
- Fibrin threads form a mesh-like network that traps blood cells, forming a blood clot.
Blood Clotting Mechanism
- Prothrombin is a globulin protein.
- Prothrombin activator converts prothrombin into the active enzyme thrombin.
- Thrombin converts fibrinogen into insoluble fibrin.
- Fibrin forms a mesh-like network that traps blood cells and seals the injured vessel.
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Description
This quiz explores the role of platelets in human physiology and the process of hemostasis. Learn about how platelets form a plug to stop bleeding and the steps involved in hemostasis, including vascular spasm and blood clot formation.
