Question

Explain blood clotting with major events taking place in it.

Answer 1

Blood is one of the most important components of life. Almost every animal possesses a circulatory system with blood. It is a fluid connective tissue that consists of plasma, blood cells, and platelets. It circulates throughout our body carrying oxygen and nutrients to various cells and tissues. It makes up 8% of our body weight. An average adult contains around 5 to 6 liters of blood. Blood mainly consists of – Red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

Complete answer:
The process of forming a clot or thrombus in order to prevent excess loss of blood from the body is called the clotting of blood. A gel mass like substance is formed by the platelets and fibrin in the blood. Platelets play a very important role in the clotting of blood.

Major events taking place in blood clotting are listed below:
- Wound to the blood vessel and platelets release prothrombin
- Then activation of prothrombin to thrombin is done.
- Breaking up of fibrinogen to fibrin by thrombin.
- A trap is formed around the wound, which is controlled by the RBC and platelets by fibers present in fibrins.
- Bleeding ended.
- The clot hardens/clotted and becomes smaller in size.
- New cells are grown to reconstruct the wounded site.
- Plasmin enzymes are released and the clot is solvated.

Note: Blood clotting normally takes place when there is damage to a blood vessel. Platelets start to accumulate to the cut edges of the vessel and release chemicals to attract even more platelets.
Blood clotting/coagulation is an important process that prevents extra/excessive bleeding when a blood vessel is injured. Platelets (a type of blood cell) and proteins in our plasma (the liquid part of the blood) work together to stop the bleeding by forming a clot over the injury.