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Describe the role of plasmin.

A. Converts fibrinogen to fibrin, allowing the formation of a clot

Converts fibrinogen to fibrin: that reaction is carried out by thrombin, not plasmin.

B. Breaks down fibrin, dissolving the clot

Breaks down fibrin, dissolving the clot: plasmin is the primary enzyme of fibrinolysis, cleaving fibrin to dissolve formed clots.

C. Triggers the extrinsic clotting mechanism, leading to clot formation

Triggers the extrinsic clotting mechanism, leading to clot formation: the extrinsic pathway is initiated by tissue factor (factor III) interacting with factor VII, not plasmin.

D. Inactivates thrombin, slowing clot formation

Inactivates thrombin, slowing clot formation: plasmin’s main role is fibrin breakdown; thrombin is primarily regulated by antithrombin, thrombomodulin–protein C systems. (Plasmin can degrade some clotting proteins but it is not described as the main inactivator of thrombin.)

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Full Explanation

A. Converts fibrinogen to fibrin:  that reaction is carried out by thrombin, not plasmin.
B. Breaks down fibrin, dissolving the clot: plasmin is the primary enzyme of fibrinolysis, cleaving fibrin to dissolve formed clots.
C. Triggers the extrinsic clotting mechanism, leading to clot formation:  the extrinsic pathway is initiated by tissue factor (factor III) interacting with factor VII, not plasmin.
D. Inactivates thrombin, slowing clot formation: plasmin’s main role is fibrin breakdown; thrombin is primarily regulated by antithrombin, thrombomodulin–protein C systems. (Plasmin can degrade some clotting proteins but it is not described as the main inactivator of thrombin.)


Similar Questions

QUESTION

Jose has no A and no B antigens on his red blood cells. Jose's blood type is:

A. Туре В

Type B: Type B RBCs express B antigen, so “no A and no B” would not be type B.

B. Type A

Type A: Type A RBCs express A antigen, so not correct here.

C. Type O

Type O: Type O RBCs lack both A and B antigens (so they are “no A, no B”).

D. Туре АВ

Type AB: Type AB RBCs express both A and B antigens, opposite of “no A and no B.”

Full Explanation

A. Type B:  Type B RBCs express B antigen, so “no A and no B” would not be type B.
B. Type A:  Type A RBCs express A antigen, so not correct here.
C. Type O: Type O RBCs lack both A and B antigens (so they are “no A, no B”).
D. Type AB:  Type AB RBCs express both A and B antigens, opposite of “no A and no B.”

QUESTION

The hormone

controls red blood cell production via a feedback mechanism.

Full Explanation

A. Colony-stimulating factor; negative:  colony-stimulating factors (CSFs) chiefly stimulate white blood cell production, not RBCs. The feedback characterization here is not applicable to erythropoiesis.
B. Erythropoietin; positive:  erythropoietin (EPO) does stimulate RBC production, but the regulatory loop is negative feedback. So labeling it “positive” is wrong.
C. Erythropoietin; negative: EPO is the hormone that stimulates RBC production and it is regulated by a negative feedback mechanism based on tissue oxygenation.
D. Colony-stimulating factor; positive:  CSFs affect leukocyte lines, and erythropoiesis is not regulated by a positive-CSF loop.

QUESTION

What are the formed elements?

A. Bone marrow and the thymus

Bone marrow and the thymus: those are organs/tissues involved in blood cell production/maturation, not the formed elements themselves.

B. Blood and lymph

Blood and lymph: these are fluid compartments, not the formed cellular elements suspended in blood.

C. Blood cells and platelets

Blood cells and platelets: “formed elements” refers to erythrocytes, leukocytes, and platelets (the cellular/fragment components of blood).

D. Sodium and potassium

Sodium and potassium: those are electrolytes/ions in plasma, not formed cellular elements.

Full Explanation

A. Bone marrow and the thymus:  those are organs/tissues involved in blood cell production/maturation, not the formed elements themselves.
B. Blood and lymph:  these are fluid compartments, not the formed cellular elements suspended in blood.
C. Blood cells and platelets: “formed elements” refers to erythrocytes, leukocytes, and platelets (the cellular/fragment components of blood).
D. Sodium and potassium:  those are electrolytes/ions in plasma, not formed cellular elements.