Chain reaction to stop bleeding The platelet story T
One day in the capillary…. Solid blood parts RBCs WBCs Platelets Containing thromboplastin T T
You need calcium in your blood to stop bleeding. Dissolved in the plasma…. Calcium Prothrombin Fibrinogen Not dissolved thromboplastin T T
When you cut yourself When you cut yourself the platelet breaks open and starts a chain reaction. Thromboplastin is released and acts as a glue And makes fibrin threads They are sticky threads like a spider’s web This makes a mesh over the cut T T T T
Clot formation.. Healing begins The mesh over the cut traps RBCs and WBCs and makes a sticky mass called a clot. When it dries It is a scab. T
Ta Dah! You heal Your capillary cells divide and heal the wound. Your blood flows freely again T