Clots in our blood can lead to a heart attack or stroke by blocking blood flow. If a clot were made up of a mass of proteins, what changed in the proteins to cause them to form the clot?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Clots are formed when certain proteins in the blood, namely fibrinogen and von Willebrand factor, are activated and converted into their insoluble form, fibrin. This process is triggered by various factors, such as damage to blood vessels or an increase in certain clot-promoting molecules. Once fibrin is formed, it forms a meshlike structure that traps red blood cells, platelets, and other proteins, leading to the formation of a clot. Therefore, the proteins involved in clot formation become insoluble and are no longer soluble in blood.

Clots in Our Blood Can Lead to a Heart Attack