Understanding Blood Cells: (Part 3)
Blood clotting is essential for the body’s healing. Wounds, cuts and bruises will not heal without platelets. Also called thrombocytes, it seals off damaged blood vessels to avoid blood loss. Low levels of platelets causes excessive bleeding or hemorrhage.
Platelets are actually not true cells. These develop from a leukocyte called megakaryocytes. While red and white blood cells specifically identifies its color, platelets appear purplish when examined with a microscope.
Platelet levels is decreased when a person takes certain oral medications such as aspirin. Chemotherapy may also cause reduced count and platelet dysfunction. Such dysfunction play a role in development of cancer.
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