Question

The most important mineral for blood coagulation is
A) Calcium
B) Magnesium
C) Sodium
D) Iron

Answer 1

Hint: -Blood coagulation also known as blood clotting is defined as the process by which blood changes from the liquid form to the gel form which prevents the loss of blood from a damaged vessel.

Complete answer-
The process of coagulation begins when injury occurs to the endothelial lining of a blood vessel. When the blood is exposed to subendothelial space it undergoes two processes- change in platelets forming a plug at site of injury also called primary homeostasis and exposure of the subendothelial tissue factor to the plasma factor VII which finally leads to fibrin formation that strengthens the platelet plug called secondary homeostasis. The coagulation involves a pathway comprising of several factors starting from factor XII, XI, X, IX, VII and XIII that ultimately leads to fibrin formation. For proper functioning of certain factors various substances are required such as vitamins, minerals, phospholipid and certain regulators. Among minerals the one required for coagulation is Calcium, since it mediates binding of complexes Xa and IXa via their terminal gamma carboxy residues to the phospholipid surfaces that are exposed by the platelets. Calcium also finds use at other important points in the coagulation cascade thus being the most important mineral for blood coagulation.

So the correct option is A) Calcium.

Note-
Coagulation is an important process occurring in humans, any defects in coagulation can cause serious defects such as thrombosis, liver failure, hemophilia, destruction of the immune system and hemorrhage.