Blood clot. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of fibrin strands immobilising and,in the process,distorting red blood cells (RBCs). RBCs,or erythrocytes,make up 99% of the cells in blood. They carry oxygen around the body and their unique surface shape (biconcave) maximises the amount carried. If damage occurs to a blood vessel,a protein found in blood called fibrinogen will be converted to fibrin,an insoluble protein. Fibrin molecules make a tangled net of fibres which immobilises the fluid portion of blood and also traps the RBCs. Along with the action of platelets,this is sufficient to prevent a dangerous loss of blood. Magnification not known | |
Lizenzart: | Lizenzpflichtig |
Credit: | Science Photo Library / Gschmeissner, Steve |
Bildgröße: | 2400 px × 1666 px |
Modell-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
Eigentums-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
Restrictions: | - |