Spreading and clotting of platelets shown to be regulated by separate pathways

When skin is cut or damaged, tiny cell fragments circulating in the blood, called platelets, arrive at the injury and spread out to stop the blood from leaking out. Once enough layers of platelets accumulate, like stacks of sandbags against a flood, a blood clot is formed, trapping red blood cells. When the break occurs in a blood vessel, the clot contracts to facilitate smooth blood flow through the vessels.

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