Platelets & Homeostasis (2) Flashcards
Where do platelets come from?
Platelets are cell fragments shed from megakaryotcytes
Do platelets have any organelles or nucleus?
No nucleus but a few organelles = mitochondria and ER fragments
What are megakaryocytes, and where are they found?
Extraordinarily large bone marrow-bound cells
Up to 60mm in diameter
What is haemostasis and its function?
Haemostasis stops blood loss from damaged small vessels
Stops haemorrhage
What are the steps to the formation of a platelet plug?
- Circulating platelets adhere to and are activated by exposed collagen at the site of vessel injury
- Activated platelets release ADP and Thromboxane A2
3.These chemical messengers work together to activate other platelets passing by
- Newly activated platelets aggregate onto the growing platelet plug and release even more platelet-attracting chemicals
- The uninjured endothelium releases prostacyclin and nitric oxide, which inhibits platelet aggregation = so platelet plug is confined to the site of injury
How do platelets adhere to collagen?
What do activated platelets release?
What molecules inhibit platelet aggregation?
Prostacyclin
Nitric oxide
What is aspirin used for?
Blood thinner = inhibits COX1 pathway
This is important in the release of inhibitors of platelet aggregation
What is the immediate response of an injured blood vessel?
Vascular spasm = vasoconstriction to physically reduce the flow of blood leaving the vessel
Overview of clot conversion
Prothrombin is converted into thrombin when blood clotting is needed
Thrombin then converts fibrinogen into fibrin
What is the role of fibrin?
Stabilizing the platelet plug
How is the fibrin mesh formed?
Fibrin monomers crosslink to each order facilitated by factor XIII (13) aka fibrin stabilizing factor
What activates factor 13?
Thrombin
What is the difference between the intrinsic and extrinsic clotting pathways?
Intrinsic pathway precipitates clotting within damaged vessels AND clotting of blood samples in test tubes
Extrinsic pathway initiates clotting of blood that as escaped into the tissues
What is the role of clot retraction?
Platelets trapped within the clot contract and shrink the fibrin mesh = pulling the edges of the damaged vessel closer together
Necessary for haemostasis and wound healing and to restore flow past obstructive thrombi
Describe the extrinsic clotting pathway
Describe the intrinsic clotting pathway
What initiates the extrinsic clotting pathway?
Tissue thromboplastin (factor 3) released from damaged tissue