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Ch. 17 Blood
Chapter 16, Problem 8

Which of the following does not promote multiple steps in the clotting pathway? a. platelet phospholipids, b. factor XI, c. thrombin, d. Ca²⁺.

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1
Identify the role of each option in the clotting pathway.
Understand that the clotting pathway involves a cascade of reactions where each factor activates the next.
Recognize that platelet phospholipids provide a surface for the assembly of clotting factors, promoting the pathway.
Acknowledge that factor XI is part of the intrinsic pathway, which is a series of steps in the clotting process.
Note that thrombin is a key enzyme that converts fibrinogen to fibrin and also activates other clotting factors, while Ca²⁺ is a cofactor required for several steps in the clotting cascade.

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Key Concepts

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

Clotting Pathway

The clotting pathway is a complex series of biochemical reactions that lead to the formation of a blood clot. It involves various clotting factors that work in a cascade, where the activation of one factor leads to the activation of another, ultimately resulting in the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin, which stabilizes the clot.
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Alternative Pathway

Platelet Phospholipids

Platelet phospholipids are components of the cell membrane of activated platelets that play a crucial role in the clotting process. They provide a surface for the assembly of clotting factors and facilitate the interactions necessary for the activation of the clotting cascade, thus promoting multiple steps in the pathway.
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Thrombin

Thrombin is a key enzyme in the clotting process that converts fibrinogen into fibrin and activates several other clotting factors. It acts as a central regulator of the coagulation cascade, promoting multiple steps in the pathway, including the activation of platelets and other coagulation factors, making it essential for effective clot formation.
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