Question
Explain why deficiency of vitamin K leads to excessive bleeding even from small cuts.
Answer
Vitamin K is necessary for the synthesis of several clotting factors in the liver, including a protein called prothrombin. Prothrombin is a precursor to thrombin, which is a key enzyme in the final step of blood clot formation. When there is a deficiency of vitamin K, the liver is unable to produce sufficient amounts of prothrombin and other clotting factors. Without enough prothrombin and thrombin, the conversion of fibrinogen (a soluble protein) into fibrin (insoluble threads) is hindered.
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