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Multiple Choice

What is the major role of platelets?

Platelets are essential for hemostasis, forming the vascular clotting system that stops bleeding. When a vessel is injured, platelets rapidly adhere to exposed collagen via von Willebrand factor, become activated, and release granule contents like ADP and thromboxane A2. These signals recruit and activate more platelets, creating a platelet plug for primary hemostasis. Platelets also provide a surface that helps assemble coagulation factors, leading to fibrin formation that stabilizes the clot in secondary hemostasis. Oxygen transport is handled by red blood cells, immune defense by white blood cells, and hormone transport by plasma carriers, not by platelets.

Platelets are essential for hemostasis, forming the vascular clotting system that stops bleeding. When a vessel is injured, platelets rapidly adhere to exposed collagen via von Willebrand factor, become activated, and release granule contents like ADP and thromboxane A2. These signals recruit and activate more platelets, creating a platelet plug for primary hemostasis. Platelets also provide a surface that helps assemble coagulation factors, leading to fibrin formation that stabilizes the clot in secondary hemostasis. Oxygen transport is handled by red blood cells, immune defense by white blood cells, and hormone transport by plasma carriers, not by platelets.