Final answer:
In mammals, platelets, also incorrectly called thrombocytes, are non-nucleated cytoplasm fragments from megakaryocytes crucial for blood clotting. They gather at wound sites to form a platelet plug, assisting in preventing blood loss. Irregular platelet counts can cause bleeding or clotting disorders.
Step-by-step explanation:
In mammals, platelets are non-nucleated fragments of cytoplasm released from megakaryocytes in the bone marrow. Sometimes you might also hear platelets referred to as thrombocytes, however, this name suggests they are a type of cell which is inaccurate because a platelet is actually just a fragment. Platelets play a crucial role in blood clotting and are essential for wound healing.
When a blood vessel is injured, platelets are attracted to the site of the wound. They then adhere to the wound's surface and to each other to form a platelet plug, which is part of the process of forming a fibrin clot. This plug, along with other clotting factors like fibrinogen, help prevent blood loss and allow the wound to heal.
Abnormalities in platelet count can lead to conditions such as thrombocytopenia where there are too few platelets resulting in abnormal bleeding, or thrombocytosis where there are too many platelets leading to abnormal clot formation or thrombosis.