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Biology

Write the main steps in coagulation of blood in their correct sequence?

Circulatory System

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Answer

Coagulation of blood (or clotting) occurs in a series of steps as follows:

  1. The injured tissue cells and the platelets which disintegrate at the site of the wound release a substance thrombokinase (also called thromboplastin).
  2. The thrombokinase acts as an enzyme and with the help of calcium ions present in the plasma, it converts a substance prothombin (inactive) of the plasma, into thrombin (active). Vitamin K, a fat-soluble vitamin is essential for the production of prothombin.
  3. Thrombin in the presence of calcium ions reacts with the soluble fibrinogen of the plasma to convert it into insoluble fibrin. Fibrin is a solid substance that forms threads. These microscopic threads of fibrin are sticky and form a mesh or network at the site of wound.
  4. Blood cells are trapped in the network of the fibrin; the network then shrinks and squeezes out the rest of the plasma which is in the form of a clear liquid, the serum. The solid mass which is left behind is called clot (or thrombus).

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