Blood Clotting

The Coagulation Process

What is Blood?

• Blood is a fluid that carries nutrients, gases, and wastes through the body.

• The blood consists of these components: Red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma.

• Blood is responsible for transporting oxygen to the whole body.

What is Blood Clotting?

• When you cut your finger, capillaries are perforated and blood begins to seep out.

• Blood coagulation has to occur in order to stop blood from coming out to prevent more serious injury or death.

• Being able to form blood clots is vital for survival.

Coagulation Process

• When a blood carrying vessel is perforated or torn collagen fibers and other tissues are exposed and the vessel constricts decreasing blood flow to the injury.

• When these tissues are exposed the enzyme thrombin is released.

• Thrombin activates the clotting factor in platelets causing them to become sticky.

Coagulation Process

• The platelets begin to stick together at the wound site binding to the exposed fibers.

• Platelets release several chemicals and change their shape to fit the formation of the plug.

• Then, a fibrin mesh forms and insures the clot will stay.

• Finally, the blood clot must dissolve in order to restore normal blood flow to the vessel.

Works Cited

• King, Michael. "Blood Coagulation". UI School Of Medicine. October 3, 2009 <http://themedicalbiochemistrypage.org/blood-coagulation.html>.

• Moake, Joel. "Introduction: Bleeding and Clotting Disorders". Merks Manuals. October 23, 2009 <http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec14/ch173/ch173a.html>.

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