Thrombosis

• What is the primary purpose of blood clotting?

  To prevent excess blood loss
• How does blood clotting help in wound healing?

  It provides a barrier, or scab, for healing
• What triggers the blood clotting process?

  A break in mucous or skin membranes
• What is the term for the process of blood clotting?

  Thrombosis
• What happens to platelets when they contact a damaged vessel wall?

  They change shape and form a temporary plug
• What type of blood cell are platelets?

  A type of blood cell without a nucleus
• What do platelets release upon activation?

  Substances that activate more platelets
• What are the steps in the blood clotting cascade?

  1. Exposed collagen and platelets release thromboplastin
  2. Thromboplastin activates an enzyme converting prothrombin to thrombin
  3. Thrombin converts fibrinogen into insoluble fibrin
  4. Fibrin forms a mesh trapping platelets and blood cells
• What protein is released by exposed collagen and platelets?

  Thromboplastin
• What does thrombin catalyze the conversion of?

  Fibrinogen into fibrin
• What must be present in blood plasma for prothrombin to convert to thrombin?

  Vitamin K and calcium ions
• What is the final structure formed by fibrin in the clotting process?

  A mesh of fibres that traps platelets
• What is the result of the formation of fibrin in blood clotting?

  Formation of a platelet plug (scab)
• What role do platelets play in the blood clotting process?

  They form a temporary plug and activate more platelets
• How does the presence of vitamin K affect blood clotting?

  It is necessary for prothrombin conversion