Hemostasis and the cessation of bleeding require which of the following processes?

A. Adherence of platelets to exposed subendothelial glycoproteins and collagen with subsequent aggregation of platelets and formation of a hemostatic plug.

 B. Interaction of tissue factor with factor VII circulating in the plasma

C. The production of thrombin via the coagulation cascade with conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin.

D. Cross-linking of fibrin by factor XIII.

DISCUSSION: Hemostasis requires the interaction of platelets with the exposed subendothelial structures at the site of injury followed by aggregation of more platelets in that area. Interactions between endothelial cell and subendothelial tissue factor with factor VII activate the coagulation cascade. The end product is large amounts of thrombin that catalyze the conversion of fibrinogen into fibrin. Fibrin thus formed is cross-linked by factor XIII to form a stable clot that incorporates the platelet plug and fibrin thrombus into a stable clot.