THROMBOCYTES:

PLATELETS

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 THROMBOCYTES: INTRO
Normally 1.5 - 4.0 Lakhs/Cu.mm
in blood.
Are 2 4 in diameter; smallest

blood cells.
Developed from giant cells

called Megakaryocytes.

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 THROMBOCYTES:
STRUCTURE
Spherical, oval, or rod-shaped colorless
bodies.
Diameter is between 2 to 4 .
When unstimulated, under Electron
Microscopy they appear as:
Flattened discs
Having a cell membrane
And a Cytoplasmic matrix.
Microtubules encircle the thrombocyte just below
its surface membrane.
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 THROMBOCYTES:
STRUCTURE
Do not have nuclei.
Cannot reproduce.
But behave functionally as whole cells.
Cytoplasm includes active proteins
such as:
Actin.
Myosin.

Thrombesthenin.

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 THROMBOCYTES:
STRUCTURE
Cell Organelles in thrombocytes
include:
Lysosomal granules.
Dense bodies: about 50 100 in number.
Mitochondria & Enzyme systems which
produce:
ATP
ADP

Enzyme systems producing:

Prostaglandins Local hormones.
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 THROMBOCYTES:
Structures within
Fine Glycogen granules.
Microvesicles.
Microtubules.
Filaments.
Granules:
Dense: Serotonin, ADP etc.
-granules: Clotting factors such as:
Fibrin Stabilizing Factor (FSF) Factor
XIII
PDGF: Platelet Derived Growth Factor
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 THROMBOCYTES:
STRUCTURE
Internal Membranous systems:
Open Canalicular System:
Spongelike invaginations
Provide multiple channels for:

Taking up Calcium ions

Secreting granule contents.
Dense Tubular System:
Channels of S.E.R.
Serves as an intracellular store for Calcium

ions.
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IDENTIFY THROMBOCYTES!

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 Platelet Physiology
Have a half life of About half of them
8 12 days. are removed by the
Eliminated from Macrophages in the
circulation by the Spleen.
Tissue Macrophage Platelet surface
system. membrane has
Thrombocytes are Phospho lipids,
active structures. Cholesterol &
glycolipids

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 THROMBOCYTES:
FUNCTIONS
Formation of Platelet plugs in
Hemostasis.
Activation.
Adhesion.
Aggregation/ Accumulation.
Cohesion or Plug formation
Supporting Coagulatory mechanisms.
Phagocytosis.
Storage & transport of substances.
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PLATELET PLUG FORMATION
It can by itself stop blood loss, if the
rent is small.
Many such minute ruptures occur
thousands of times every day in
minute blood vessels.
Platelets manage to plug these very
well, all by themselves.

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 APPLIED ASPECTS
Thrombocytopenia:
Decrease in Thrombocyte count.(Normal:
1.5 4 Lakhs/cu.mm of blood)
Critical Thrombocyte Count is
40,000/cu.mm.
Causes Purpura:
Multiple subcutaneous purplish blotches.

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IDIOPATHIC THROMBOCYTOPENIC
PURPURA
Usually cause not known.
Called as Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura.
Diagnosis by:
Easy bruisability & Purpura.
Critical Platelet count.
Prolonged Bleeding Time.
Can be treated by giving multiple transfusions
of:
Whole blood
Platelet rich plasma: PRP

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 APPLIED ASPECTS (Contd.)
With normal thrombocyte count,
purpura may occur in
Thrombesthenic Purpura, where the
thrombesthenin is defective.
Thrombocytosis can cause increased
predisposition for Thrombotic events.

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PURPURA

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 THROMBOCYTES: A REVIEW

One of the three blood Have granules

cells or formed secreting:
element. Serotonin, ADP
1.5 4.0 Lakhs/Cu.mm FSF & PDGF
2 4 Microns in Main function: Platelet
diameter. Plug formation:
Activation
No nuclei.

Adhesion
Have proteins: Aggregation
Actin Cohesion.
Myosin
Applied Aspects: ITP
Thrombesthenin

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