Blood clotting Flashcards
1
Q
what is thrombosis?
A
blood clotting which prevents blood loss when a blood vessel is damaged and prevents the entry of diseases causing microorganisms along with providing the framework for repair.
2
Q
What is the clotting cascade?
A
- when a blood vessel is damaged platelets attach to exposed collagen fibres
- Thromboplastin is released and this triggers the conversion of inactive prothrombin (protein) into active thrombin (enzyme). In order for this to occur calcium ions and vitamin K must be present. These are known as clotting factors
- Thrombin catalyses the conversion of soluble fibrinogen into insoluble fibrin.
- Fibrin forms a network of fibres (mesh in which platelets and red blood cells are trapped to form a blood clot)