Final answer:
When a blood vessel is injured, platelets come into contact with the ruptured blood and stimulate the formation of a hemostatic plug. This plug is formed by activated platelets clumping together and binding to the exposed collagen and endothelial lining. It is further strengthened by the deposition of fibrin.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a blood vessel is injured, it constricts to divert blood from the site of injury. The ruptured blood from the surrounding tissue comes into contact with the platelets. This stimulates the formation of the hemostatic plug by promoting activation of platelets and blood coagulation.
Platelets play a crucial role in hemostasis, the process of sealing a ruptured blood vessel. When platelets come into contact with the injured blood vessel, they clump together, becoming spiked and sticky. They bind to the exposed collagen and endothelial lining and release chemicals that contribute to hemostasis. This leads to the formation of a plug that temporarily seals the vessel.
The substances released by the activated platelets, such as von Willebrand factor, help stabilize the growing platelet plug. This plug is further strengthened by the strands of fibrin that crisscross it, forming a robust clot.