The Blood Clotting Process

Question 0

Describe the process of blood clotting (6)

Answer 0

1. The platelets stick to the damaged wall of the vessel.
2. A platelet plug forms (temporary).
3. This causes a cascade of chemical changes.
4. Thromboplastin is released from the damaged tissue and platelets. This causes prothrombin to change into thrombin.
5. The thrombin causes fibrinogen to convert into fibrin.
6. The fibrin mesh traps red blood cells which causes the blood to clot.

Question 1

What leads to clotting?

Answer 1

Damage to the vessel that triggers a series of reactions.

Question 2

What is fibrin?

Answer 2

Long, insoluble strands of protein.

Question 3

What is thrombin?

Answer 3

Thrombin is an enzyme that catalysed the conversion of fibrinogen into fibrin.

Question 4

What is prothrombin?

Answer 4

A plasma protein.

Question 5

What does systolic mean?

Answer 5

Pressure exerted when the ventricles contract. It send blood around the body via the aorta and pulmonary artery.