Platelets

Platelets are tiny pieces of cells that float in your blood. When you get a cut, platelets rush to the spot and stick together. They form a plug that stops the bleeding.

How Platelets Work

When a blood vessel is cut, platelets get a signal to rush to the wound. They become sticky and clump together to form a plug. Then they work with proteins in your blood to make a strong clot.

The clot becomes a scab on the outside of your skin. Under the scab, your body is busy healing the wound.

Why Platelets Are Important

Without platelets, even a small cut could keep bleeding for a very long time. Platelets are your body's first responders when you get hurt.

Your body makes new platelets in your bone marrow. Each platelet lives for about eight to ten days before being replaced.

Fun Facts

• There are about 150,000 to 400,000 platelets in a single drop of blood.
• Platelets are much smaller than red or white blood cells.
• A scab is actually a dried-up clot made by platelets and proteins.

Did You Know?

Platelets are not actually whole cells. They are tiny fragments that break off from larger cells in your bone marrow!