False-colour transmission electron micrograph of unactivated blood platelets & some red blood cells (bottom left). Platelets (thrombocytes) are small,

---

False-colour transmission electron micrograph of unactivated blood platelets & some red blood cells (bottom left). Platelets (thrombocytes) are small, non-nucleated cells formed in the bone marrow and found in circulating blood. Unactivated platelets are oval in shape and 2-3 micrometres in diameter. Activated platelets have dendritic processes or pseudopodia. Platelets function in 2 ways; they help plug small defects in the walls of small blood vessels and they are involved in clotting and the release of serotonin, a compound which reduces blood flow by constricting the damaged vessels. Magnification: x12,000 at 6x7cm size.

---

Size: 4977px × 3861px
Photo credit: © CNRI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: anatomy, blood, body, clotting, human, platelet, platelets, thrombocyte, unactivated