Question

Define coagulation. Provide an example.

Answer 1

Coagulation is the process by which a fluid or dispersed system becomes a semi‑solid or solid mass through aggregation and linking of particles or molecules. In biology it usually means blood clot formation; in physical chemistry it means destabilization and clumping of colloidal particles.

Example (blood coagulation): When a blood vessel is injured, platelets adhere at the site and a cascade of clotting factors generates thrombin, which converts soluble fibrinogen into insoluble fibrin strands. The fibrin mesh, together with platelets, forms a stable clot that stops bleeding.