Table of contents

1. Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology5h 43m
2. Cell Chemistry & Cell Components12h 36m
3. Energy & Cell Processes10h 6m
4. Tissues & Histology10h 3m
5. Integumentary System2h 20m
6. Bones & Skeletal Tissue2h 16m
7. The Skeletal System2h 35m
8. Joints2h 17m
9. Muscle Tissue2h 33m
10. Muscles1h 11m
11. Nervous Tissue and Nervous System1h 35m
12. The Central Nervous System1h 6m
- Introduction to the Central Nervous System
  18m
- The Cerebrum
  48m
13. The Peripheral Nervous System1h 26m
14. The Autonomic Nervous System1h 38m
15. The Special Senses2h 41m
16. The Endocrine System2h 48m
17. The Blood3h 22m
18. The Heart3h 42m
19. The Blood Vessels3h 35m
20. The Lymphatic System3h 16m
21. The Immune System14h 37m
22. The Respiratory System3h 20m
23. The Digestive System2h 5m
24. Metabolism and Nutrition4h 0m
25. The Urinary System2h 39m
26. Fluid and Electrolyte Balance, Acid Base Balance37m
27. The Reproductive System2h 5m
28. Human Development1h 21m
29. Heredity3h 32m

17. The Blood

Platelets: Hemostasis

Anatomy & Physiology

17. The Blood

Platelets: Hemostasis

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Problem 14

Textbook Question

What are the overall goals of the common pathway of coagulation?

Verified step by step guidance

Understand that the common pathway of coagulation is the final phase of the blood clotting process, which is essential for stopping bleeding and stabilizing the clot.

Recognize that the primary goal of the common pathway is to convert prothrombin (a plasma protein) into thrombin, an enzyme that plays a critical role in clot formation.

Learn that thrombin then converts fibrinogen (a soluble plasma protein) into fibrin, which forms insoluble threads that create a stable meshwork to reinforce the clot.

Understand that the fibrin meshwork traps blood cells and platelets, forming a solid clot that seals the damaged blood vessel and prevents further blood loss.

Appreciate that the ultimate goal of the common pathway is to ensure hemostasis, which is the process of stopping bleeding while maintaining blood flow in undamaged vessels.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Coagulation Cascade

The coagulation cascade is a series of complex biochemical reactions that lead to blood clot formation. It involves two main pathways: the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways, which converge into a common pathway. Understanding this cascade is essential for grasping how the body responds to vascular injury and prevents excessive bleeding.

Common Pathway

The common pathway of coagulation is the final series of steps in the coagulation cascade, where prothrombin is converted to thrombin, and fibrinogen is transformed into fibrin. This pathway is crucial for the stabilization of the blood clot, ensuring that it effectively seals wounds and prevents blood loss. It highlights the integration of various coagulation factors to achieve hemostasis.

Hemostasis

Hemostasis is the physiological process that prevents and stops bleeding, involving vascular constriction, platelet plug formation, and coagulation. The overall goals of hemostasis include maintaining blood fluidity while ensuring rapid response to injury. Understanding hemostasis is vital for recognizing how the body protects itself from blood loss and the implications of coagulation disorders.

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Related Practice

Textbook Question

A test for prothrombin time is used to identify deficiencies in the extrinsic clotting pathway; prothrombin time is prolonged if any of the factors are deficient. A test for activated partial thromboplastin time is used in a similar fashion to detect deficiencies in the intrinsic clotting pathway. Which factor would be deficient if a person had a prolonged prothrombin time but a normal partial thromboplastin time?

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Textbook Question

Almost half of our vitamin K is synthesized by bacteria that inhabit the large intestine. Based on this information, how could taking a broad-spectrum antibiotic for a long time cause frequent nosebleeds?

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Textbook Question

Number the steps of hemostasis in order, putting 1 by the first event, 2 by the second, and so on.

____The intrinsic/contact activation and extrinsic/tissue factor pathways produce factor Xa.

____The clot retracts.

____Thrombin converts fibrinogen to fibrin, and fibrin glues the plug together.

____Platelets are activated, and the platelet plug forms.

____Vasoconstriction and increased tissue pressure decrease blood flow through the vessel.

____Tissue plasminogen activator activates plasmin, which degrades fibrin.

____The common pathway produces thrombin.

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Textbook Question

How do the intrinsic/contact activation and extrinsic/tissue factor coagulation pathways differ? How are they similar?

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Textbook Question

Which of the following is not an anticlotting agent produced by endothelial cells?

a. Prostacyclin

b. Protein C

c. Antithrombin-III

d. Warfarin

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Textbook Question

Tissue plasminogen activator, urokinase, and plasmin are important components of:

a. Coagulation

b. Fibrinolysis

c. Platelet plug formation

d. Hemostasis

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Textbook Question

The anticoagulant drug warfarin primarily disrupts the extrinsic/tissue factor coagulation pathway. Explain why disrupting only this pathway disrupts the entire coagulation cascade.

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Textbook Question

Cirrhosis of the liver often reduces production of many types of plasma proteins, including albumin and clotting factors. Predict the effects on the body of decreased numbers of these proteins in the plasma. Would this also affect the number of γ-globulins in the plasma? Why or why not?

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