What component of blood helps in clotting?

Platelets are the component of blood primarily responsible for clotting. These small, disc-shaped cell fragments play a crucial role in stopping bleeding. When a blood vessel is injured, platelets are activated and aggregate at the site of the injury, forming a temporary "platelet plug." They release chemical signals that further attract more platelets and trigger the coagulation cascade, leading to the formation of a stable clot through a network of fibrin strands that solidify and trap blood cells.

While red blood cells are responsible for transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide, and white blood cells are involved in immune responses, they do not contribute directly to the clotting process. Plasma, the liquid component of blood, carries platelets along with other cells and substances, but does not actively participate in the clotting mechanism itself. Therefore, platelets are clearly identified as the key players in the blood clotting process.