Blood 2 Flashcards
Function of platelets
To seal breaks in blood vessels
Other name for platelets
Thrombocytes
What are platelets derived from?
Cell fragments shed from megakaryocytes
Structure of platelets
Lack nuclei
Have organelles and cytosolic enzymes for generating energy and synthesizing secretory products
High concentrations of actin and myosin
Lifespan of platelets
Remain functional for an average of 10 days
How are platelets removed from circulation?
by tissue macrophages
Do platelets leave blood like WBCs?
No
About 1⁄3 are stored in blood-filled spaces in spleen
Released when needed by sympathetically induced splenic contraction
How is platelet production regulated?
Self-regulating process
Regulation factors (Thrombopoietin (TPO), Interleukin-3 (IL-3), IL-6, IL-11)
How is TPO produced and what is its effect?
Hormone produced by liver
increases number of megakaryocytes and therefore increases platelet production
How do intact endothelial cells prevent platelets from aggregating
Release prostacyclin and nitric oxide
Steps for formation of hemostatic plug
1) Vessel injury exposes underlying collagen fibers
2) Platelets adhere. A large plasma protein called the von Willebrand factor stabilizes the platelets by forming bridge with collagen fibres
3) Platelets swell, form spiked processes and become sticky.
4) Prostaglandin synthesis in platelets occurs, and thromboxane A2 (TXA2) is produced. Serotonin is also released. These messengers enhance vasoconstriction and platelet aggregation
5) ADP release causes platelets to well and aggregate
Primary hemostatic plug is formed
Stability of primary hemostatic plug
Unstable
Temporary control of bleeding
Becomes stabilized by fibrin network
Function of hemostasis
Prevents blood loss from a broken blood vessel
essential to life
Three major steps of hemostasis
Vascular spasm (constriction of vessel)
Formation of platelet plug
Blood coagulation (clotting)
Reason for vascular spasm in hemostasis
Reduces blood flow through damaged vessel
General outcome of blood clotting
Transformation of blood from liquid into a solid gel
What is the purpose of clot formation?
Reinforce platelet plug
Converts blood in the vicinity to non flowing gel
When are clotting factors present in blood plasma?
Clotting factors are always present in blood plasma in inactive precursor form
Vessel damage that exposes collagen initiates cascade of reactions that involve successive activation of clotting factors
Fibrinogen
Precursor of fibrin
Insoluble protein - creates protein meshwork of clot
Thrombin
Converts fibrinogen to fibrin at site of injury
Factor XIII
Fibrin stabilizing factor
xlink fibrin molecules
Factor X
Last component of clotting cascade that activates thrombin from prothrombin