What is the role of platelets in the blood?

What is the role of platelets in the blood?

• A. To transport oxygen
• B. To defend against infections
• C. To assist in clot formation and hemostasis
• D. To regulate blood pressure

Answer: (C)

Platelets play a crucial role in hemostasis, which is the process that prevents and stops bleeding. When a blood vessel is injured, platelets are activated and aggregate at the site of injury. They adhere to the exposed collagen and other substances in the damaged area to form a temporary "platelet plug." This aggregation is essential for the initial response to vascular injury and is followed by the activation of the coagulation cascade, which leads to the formation of a stable blood clot. This function is integral to maintaining the integrity of the circulatory system and preventing excessive blood loss during injury. The other options reflect different functions of blood components: red blood cells are responsible for oxygen transport, white blood cells defend the body against infections, and plasma proteins play various roles in regulating blood pressure and fluid balance. However, platelets specifically are designed for their crucial role in clot formation and hemostasis, making the correct answer focused solely on their specific function.

Platelets play a crucial role in hemostasis, which is the process that prevents and stops bleeding. When a blood vessel is injured, platelets are activated and aggregate at the site of injury. They adhere to the exposed collagen and other substances in the damaged area to form a temporary "platelet plug." This aggregation is essential for the initial response to vascular injury and is followed by the activation of the coagulation cascade, which leads to the formation of a stable blood clot. This function is integral to maintaining the integrity of the circulatory system and preventing excessive blood loss during injury.

The other options reflect different functions of blood components: red blood cells are responsible for oxygen transport, white blood cells defend the body against infections, and plasma proteins play various roles in regulating blood pressure and fluid balance. However, platelets specifically are designed for their crucial role in clot formation and hemostasis, making the correct answer focused solely on their specific function.