1.3.10 Describe the blood clotting process (thromboplastin release, conversion of prothrombin to thrombin and fibrinogen to fibrin) and its role in cardiovascular disease (CVD).

damage to a blood vessel exposes collagen fibres, platelets attach to collagen fibres releasing the clotting factor, thromboplastin. In the presence of vitamin k and calcium ions, thromboplastin (a protein) converts inactive prothrombin (a soluble protein) into active thrombin (an enzyme). Thrombin catalyses the conversion of fibrinogen (a soluble protein) to fibrin (solid insoluble fibre), which forms a network of fibres (a mesh), trapping platelets and blood cells to make a clot.