Question

Dissolution of clot is called

• A. Fibrinolysis
• B. Embolus
• C. Thrombus
• D. Spectrin

Hint:

To remember the term, associate "lysis" with breakdown or dissolution, and "fibrin" with the clot matrix. Hence, fibrinolysis means the breakdown of fibrin.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Hemostasis is a highly regulated physiological process that stops bleeding at the site of vascular injury while maintaining normal blood flow elsewhere.
Once the tissue is repaired, the temporary blood clot must be dissolved to restore normal vascular patency.

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
The physiological process of dissolving a pre-formed blood clot is called fibrinolysis.
During this process, the inactive plasma protein plasminogen is activated to form plasmin by tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) and urokinase.
Plasmin acts as a proteolytic enzyme that breaks down the insoluble fibrin meshwork of the clot into soluble fibrin degradation products (FDPs).
Let us review the other terms for clarity:
- Thrombus: An aggregate of blood components (clot) that forms inside a blood vessel and remains fixed there.
- Embolus: A detached, free-floating mass (such as a dislodged thrombus, air bubble, or fat globule) that travels through the bloodstream and can block a distant vessel.
- Spectrin: A cytoskeletal protein found on the inner cell membrane of erythrocytes, essential for maintaining cell shape and structural integrity.

Step 4: Final Answer
The dissolution of a clot is known as fibrinolysis.