Platelets or Thrombocytes: Platelets, also called thrombocytes, are a component of blood whose function is to react to bleeding from blood vessel injury by initiating a blood clot. Platelets have no cell nucleus. They are fragments of cytoplasm of megakaryocytes of the bone marrow, and then enter the circulation.

Platelets or Thrombocytes

They are of different shapes with a size of 2-3 um ( micrometer).
Blood contains 1,50,000- 3,50,000 platelets mm−3

Platelets release a number of substances which are responsible for blood coagulation or blood clotting.

The life span of platelets is 7-10 days.

Reduction in their number can lead to serious problems as it leads to clotting disorders. It can lead to excessive loss of blood from the body during injury.

Platelet numbers decrease in severe bacterial infections.

Platelets play critical role in blood clotting. Blood platelets are tiny cellfragments that play a critical role in blood clotting. They are produced in the bone marrow by large cells called megakarocytes. These cells break apart to form platelets, which then circulate in the blood.

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By Team Learning Mantras