Blood - Clot dissolution Flashcards
1
Q
What is the difference between plasma and serum?
A
Plasma - liquid component of blood before clotting
Serum - liquid component after clotting (doesn’t contain fibrinogen and thrombin)
Basically serum is the same as plasma but minus clotting proteins
2
Q
What is fibrinolysis?
A
Process of clot dissolving
3
Q
How does the process occur?
A
Body will activate a protein called plasmin
Plasmin will break down fibrin strands in the clot, dissolving the clot and resorting normal blood flow
4
Q
What is t-PA?
A
Activator that converts plasminogen to active plasmin, allowing fibrinolysis to occur
5
Q
What is plasminogen?
A
Sleeping form of plasmin that circulates in the blood
