Final answer:
The smallest formed element in the blood that assists with clotting is a platelet, or thrombocyte, which contributes to forming clots and repairing wounds.
Step-by-step explanation:
The smallest of the formed elements in the peripheral blood, which assists with clotting, is known as a platelet or thrombocyte. Platelets are cell fragments derived from the cytoplasm of megakaryocytes in the bone marrow and play a crucial role in hemostasis. Unlike erythrocytes (red blood cells) or leukocytes (white blood cells), which are complete cells, platelets are essential for blood clot formation. They act to minimize blood loss from damaged vessels by forming a platelet plug, working in conjunction with other clotting factors, such as fibrinogen, to create a fibrin clot which facilitates wound healing.
The correct answer to the question, therefore, is c) Platelet.