Final answer:
Platelets are essential fragments derived from megakaryocytes vital for blood clotting. They interact with clotting factors to prevent blood loss during injuries. Abnormal levels can lead to excessive bleeding or clotting.
Step-by-step explanation:
In mammals, platelets are non-nucleated fragments of cytoplasm released from megakaryocytes in the bone marrow. Platelets, also known as thrombocytes, are essential for the clotting process of blood. They work in conjunction with other clotting factors, such as fibrinogen, to form a fibrin clot that prevents blood loss and allows wounds to heal. Each megakaryocyte generates between 2000-3000 platelets.
Conditions like thrombocytopenia, where there are too few platelets, can lead to abnormal bleeding, while thrombocytosis refers to having too many platelets, which can result in abnormal clotting such as thrombosis.