NHA Phlebotomy Certification Practice Exam

What is the primary role of thrombocytes?

1. Transport nutrients

2. Promote blood clotting

3. Phagocytize bacteria

4. Produce antibodies

The correct answer is: Promote blood clotting

The primary role of thrombocytes, or platelets, is to promote blood clotting. Thrombocytes are small, disc-shaped cell fragments that form from larger cells in the bone marrow called megakaryocytes. When a blood vessel is injured, these platelets quickly adhere to the site of injury and aggregate with one another to form a temporary plug, which helps to stop bleeding. They also release chemical signals that attract more platelets to the area and promote the activation of the clotting cascade, leading to the formation of a stable blood clot. This function is crucial for maintaining hemostasis, or the balance between bleeding and clotting in the body, thereby preventing excessive blood loss when injuries occur.