Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) Practice Exam

What is the primary function of thrombocytes in the blood?

1. Transporting oxygen

2. Fighting infections

3. Clotting blood

4. Regulating blood pressure

The correct answer is: Clotting blood

Thrombocytes, commonly known as platelets, play a crucial role in the body's hemostatic process, which is essential for preventing excessive bleeding when injuries occur. Their primary function is to initiate the clotting process by adhering to the site of a blood vessel injury and aggregating to form a temporary "platelet plug." This action is vital for stopping bleeding and facilitating the healing process by providing a framework for further clotting factors to act upon and stabilize the clot. The context of their function can be illustrated by the contrasting roles of other components in the blood. For instance, while oxygen transportation is primarily carried out by red blood cells, and the immune defense against infections is largely the responsibility of white blood cells, thrombocytes specifically address the need for blood coagulation and wound healing. Thus, their specialized function in clotting distinguishes them from other cell types in the blood, underscoring their importance in maintaining hemostasis and vascular integrity.