Platelet

From Anvita Health Wiki

Contents 1 Introduction 2 Function 3 Pharmacokinetics 4 Laboratory 5 More General Terms 6 Additional Terms 7 References

Introduction

• Anucleate discoid corpuscles in peripheral blood, measuring about 1 um in diameter, derived from megakaryocyte cytoplasm.

Function

• platelets function in the 2nd phase of hemostasis ( platelet aggregation)
• they contain 2 types of granules, alpha granules & delta granules that release adhesion, coagulation & growth-factor molecules
• platelets also produce microbicidal peptides active against bacteria & other pathogens, including malaria
• platelets selectively bind to Plasmodium- infected erythrocytes & apparently kill intraerythrocytic parasites [2]

Pharmacokinetics

• Life span of platelets in normal individuals is 5-7 days (also see platelet life span).

Laboratory

• platelet count as part of complete blood count ( CBC) determines adequate numbers of platelets
• platelet function is determined by:

• platelet aggregation assay
• bleeding time

More General Terms

• anucleate cell
• blood cell

Additional Terms

• antiplatelet agent
• platelet aggregation
• platelet count
• platelet disorder
• platelet granule
• platelet life span
• platelet protein
• platelet thrombus
• platelet unit

References

1. Saunders Manual of Medical Practice, Rakel (ed), WB Saunders, Philadelphia, 1996, pg 590
2. McMorran BJ et al. Platelets kill intraerythrocytic malarial parasites and mediate survival to infection. Science 2009 Feb 6; 323:797. PMID: [1]

platelet