Very short notes on Blood Platelets or thrombocytes

Blood platelets are small cells about 1/3rd the size of a red blood cell. They are spherical or oval non-nucleated discs, numbering about 2, 50,000 per cubic millimeter. They are produced in the bone marrow and after a few days of life, they die in the spleen.

Functions:

1. Initiates blood clotting:

It helps in clotting by producing the enzyme thombokinase.

2. Repairs capillary endothelium:

It sticks together to any damaged place in a blood vessel.

3. Body defense:

Thrombocytes also play some part in the mechanism of defense against infection.