common pathway


common pathway

Any final route in a molecular 'cascade' in which there is a complex interplay among enzymes, substrates, activators, inactivators, and a relatively small signal is 'amplified' by a positive feedback loop to produce an effect Coagulation A CP is initiated by either the extrinsic or intrinsic pathway, either of which activates factor X–Xa, which in turn activates factor II, converting it into thrombin in the presence of factor V, Ca2+, and membrane phospholipid, and activate prothrombinase producing thrombin from prothrombin; prothrombin then converts fibrinogen into fibrin, forming a blood clot, that becomes irreversible when factor XIII is activated

Common pathway

The pathway that results from the merging of the extrinsic and intrinsic pathways. The common pathway includes the final steps before a clot is formed.Mentioned in: Partial Thromboplastin Time