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Ch. 23 Circulation
Taylor - Campbell Biology: Concepts & Connections 10th Edition
Taylor, Simon, Dickey, Hogan10th EditionCampbell Biology: Concepts & ConnectionsISBN: 9780136538783Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooksTaylor, Simon, Dickey, Hogan 10th EditionCh. 23 CirculationProblem 6
Chapter 23, Problem 6

Which of the following initiates the process of blood clotting?
a. Damage to the lining of a blood vessel
b. Conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin
c. Attraction of white blood cells to a site of infection
d. Conversion of fibrin to fibrinogen

Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the process of blood clotting: Blood clotting, or coagulation, is a complex process that prevents excessive bleeding when a blood vessel is injured. It involves a cascade of events leading to the formation of a clot.
Identify the key steps in blood clotting: The process begins with damage to the lining of a blood vessel, which exposes collagen and other substances that activate platelets and clotting factors.
Clarify the role of fibrinogen and fibrin: Fibrinogen is a soluble protein in the blood plasma that is converted into fibrin, an insoluble protein, during the clotting process. Fibrin forms a mesh that stabilizes the clot.
Differentiate between the options: Option (a) refers to the initial trigger for clotting (damage to the blood vessel lining), while options (b) and (d) describe later stages in the clotting cascade. Option (c) is unrelated to clotting and pertains to immune response.
Conclude the correct initiation step: Damage to the lining of a blood vessel (option a) is the event that initiates the blood clotting process by exposing substances that activate platelets and clotting factors.

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Key Concepts

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

Hemostasis

Hemostasis is the process that prevents and stops bleeding, or hemorrhage. It involves a complex interaction between blood vessels, platelets, and various proteins in the blood. The initial phase of hemostasis is vascular spasm, followed by the formation of a platelet plug and the activation of the coagulation cascade, which ultimately leads to blood clot formation.

Coagulation Cascade

The coagulation cascade is a series of biochemical reactions that lead to the conversion of fibrinogen, a soluble plasma protein, into fibrin, an insoluble protein that forms the mesh of a blood clot. This cascade is initiated by tissue damage, which exposes collagen and other substances that activate platelets and clotting factors, ultimately resulting in the stabilization of the platelet plug.
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Fibrinogen and Fibrin

Fibrinogen is a soluble plasma protein produced by the liver that plays a crucial role in blood clotting. When blood vessels are damaged, thrombin converts fibrinogen into fibrin, which forms a fibrous mesh that solidifies the platelet plug and stabilizes the clot. This transformation is essential for effective hemostasis and preventing excessive blood loss.
Related Practice
Textbook Question

When the doctor listened to Janet's heart, he heard 'lub-hiss, lub-hiss' instead of the normal 'lub-dup' sounds. The hiss is most likely due to _________ . (Explain your answer.)

a. A defective atrioventricular (AV) valve

b. A damaged pacemaker (SA node)

c. A defective semilunar valve

d. High blood pressure

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Textbook Question

Which of the following is the main difference between your cardiovascular system and that of a fish?

a. Your heart has two chambers; a fish heart has four.

b. Your circulation has two circuits; fish circulation has one.

c. Your heart chambers are called atria and ventricles.

d. Yours is a closed system; the fish's is an open system.

1127
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Textbook Question

Paul's blood pressure is 150/90. The 150 indicates _________ , and the 90 indicates _________ .

a. Pressure in the left ventricle; pressure in the right ventricle

b. Pressure during ventricular contraction; pressure during heart relaxation

c. Systemic circuit pressure; pulmonary circuit pressure

d. Pressure in the arteries; pressure in the veins

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Textbook Question

Blood flows more slowly in the arterioles than in the artery that supplies them because the arterioles

a. Have thoroughfare channels to venules that are often closed off, slowing the flow of blood.

b. Have sphincters that restrict flow to capillary beds.

c. Are narrower than the artery.

d. Collectively have a larger cross-sectional area than does the artery.

1204
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Textbook Question

Which of the following is not a true statement about open and closed circulatory systems?

a. Both systems have some sort of a heart that pumps a circulatory fluid through the body.

b. A frog has an open circulatory system; other vertebrates have closed circulatory systems.

c. The blood and interstitial fluid are separate in a closed system but are indistinguishable in an open system.

d. Some of the circulation of blood in both systems results from body movements.

1673
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Textbook Question
Trace the path of blood starting in a pulmonary vein, through the heart, and around the body, returning to the pulmonary vein. Name, in order, the heart chambers and types of vessels through which the blood passes.
2013
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