Platelets and Blood Clotting Flashcards

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What are platelets in the blood?

Platelets are tiny cell fragments in the blood that help it to clot.

Their job is to stick to the cut and release chemicals that make the blood start to clot.

Platelets stick to the damaged wall, then they clump together and release chemicals that start the clotting process.

A blood clot is a mesh of protein fibres, called fibrin, that trap blood cells and platelets.

A scab is a hard, dry layer that forms when a blood clot on the skin surface dries out.

It covers the wound, stops more blood loss, and stops pathogens getting into the body.

Platelets are made in the bone marrow from large cells that break into small fragments.

Their blood will not clot well, so even small cuts may bleed for a long time.

Proteins in the plasma, called clotting factors, change to form fibrin fibres that make the clot.

It reduces blood loss and stops pathogens entering through the broken skin.