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GCSE Biology · key term
An insoluble protein that forms a mesh across a wound during blood clotting.
Used by AQA and OCR
Specification 4.2.2.3 · Paper 1
An insoluble protein that forms a mesh during blood clotting.
Revise: Blood CompositionWhen a blood vessel is damaged, platelets help start a sequence that converts soluble fibrinogen in the plasma into insoluble fibrin.
Specification B6.3j · Paper 2 (Foundation), Paper 4 (Higher)
An insoluble protein that forms a mesh across a wound, trapping blood cells to form a clot.
Revise: White blood cells and plateletsChemicals released by platelets lead to soluble fibrinogen in the blood plasma being converted into insoluble fibrin. Fibrin forms a mesh that traps blood cells, making a clot. The clot reduces blood loss and can dry into a scab, which helps prevent pathogens entering while new skin grows beneath it.
Paper 1 (Foundation), Paper 2 (Foundation), Paper 3 (Higher), Paper 4 (Higher)
Revise: PlateletsPlatelets contain and release substances that start a series of clotting reactions when a blood vessel is damaged. These substances cause fibrinogen, a soluble protein in the plasma, to be converted into fibrin, an insoluble protein.
For an explanation question, link each feature to its consequence: platelets release clotting chemicals → fibrin forms a mesh → a clot seals the wound.
Keep fibrinogen and fibrin distinct: fibrinogen is soluble, whereas fibrin is insoluble and forms the mesh.
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