Review why clotting limits blood loss and prevents pathogens entering wounds, then use platelet-count results to reason about bleeding risk.
A hospital patient who is feeling unwell is given a blood test.
The results of the blood test show a very low level of platelets.
What effect will this have?
The blood will be unable to transport nutrients, hormones and carbon dioxide.
The blood will not be able to carry as much oxygen to the tissues as normal.
There will be a greater risk of bleeding because the blood will take longer to clot.
There will be a greater risk of infection because the blood cannot make antibodies.
C