Platelets
Platelets, the smallest blood cells, are designed to begin the process known as coagulation, which is the complex process by which clots are formed to help stop bleeding whenever a blood vessel is broken.
Platelets, known scientifically as thrombocytes, are irregularly shaped colorless cell fragments. As with red cells, they are made in the bone marrow.
Platelets are only one to two microns in diameter, and there is one platelet for every 10 to 20 red cells. After leaving the bone marrow, platelets survive for about ten days in the average person. The platelet is absolutely vital to life. It takes part in the prevention of massive blood loss from trauma and helps the blood vessels stay leak proof in normal daily life.
Platelets are sticky. Their sticky surface lets them, along with other substances, form clots to help stop bleeding. When a blood vessel inside your body is injured, platelets accumulate immediately and stick to the torn surface of the damaged vessel forming a plug to help stop the flow of blood. Platelets also release chemical messengers into the bloodstream that trigger a number of functions that help control bleeding. These messengers also attract additional platelets to the wound site to increase the size of the platelet plug while activating the coagulation process, which involves a number of plasma proteins, including fibrinogen. Fibrinogen, along with calcium and vitamin K, help the platelets form a clot.
Upon detecting bleeding, platelets react with the fibrinogen and begin to form fibrin, which resembles long tiny threads. Platelets together with fibrin threads then begin to form a web-like mesh that traps blood cells within it. This process forms a clot, which is vital to survival.
Calcium and vitamin K and certain specialized proteins must be present in blood to support the formation of clots. If your blood has a lower than normal supply of these nutrients, it will take longer than normal for your blood to clot. If these nutrients are missing, your blood may not clot at all and you could bleed to death. A healthy diet provides most people with enough vitamins and minerals, but some people with certain diseases may need to take vitamin supplements to maintain a healthy blood supply.
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