Topic 3 Circulatory System: Process of Blood Clotting

Question 1

• Platelets contract exposed collagen of damaged vessels and cause neighboring platelets to form a platelet plug

Answer 1

1. Formation of platelet plug

Question 2

• Both the platelets and damaged tissue release the clotting factor thromboplastin

Answer 2

2. Release of thromboplastin

Question 3

• Thromboplastin converts inactive plasma protein prothrombin to thrombin (active)

Answer 3

3. Conversion of prothrombin to thrombin

Question 4

• Thrombin converts fibrinogen into fibrin

Answer 4

4. Conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin

Question 5

• Fibrin threads coat the damaged area and trap blood cells to form a clot

Answer 5

5. Clot formation

Question 6

• A thrombus (blood clot that forms in a vessel abnormally) can cause a heart attack or stroke (if the clot causes death of nervous tissue in the brain)

Answer 6

Note