Which term is another name for the process of clotting?

The process of clotting is most accurately referred to as coagulation. Coagulation is the biochemical process whereby blood changes from a liquid to a gel, forming a blood clot. This process is essential for stopping bleeding and is part of the body’s natural response to injury. It involves a complex cascade of events that lead to the transformation of soluble fibrinogen in the blood into insoluble fibrin strands, which then weave through the platelet plug to stabilize it and form a stable clot.

Hemostasis, while related, is a broader term that encompasses the entire process of blood clot formation, including the response of blood vessels, platelets, and plasma proteins to injury, and ultimately leads to coagulation. Hemolysis refers to the destruction of red blood cells, releasing hemoglobin into the bloodstream, which is unrelated to clotting. Aggregation involves the clumping together of platelets and is a step in the clotting process, but it does not define the entire mechanism. Therefore, coagulation specifically refers to the actual development of the clot itself.