Vitamin K is associated with the synthesis of which component?

Vitamin K is associated with the synthesis of which component?

• A. Platelet function
• B. White blood cells
• C. Red blood cells
• D. Clotting factors

Answer: (D)

Vitamin K is essential for the liver to produce active clotting factors. It serves as a cofactor for the enzyme that gamma-carboxylates glutamic acid residues on factors II, VII, IX, and X, plus proteins C and S. This carboxylation enables those factors to bind calcium and participate effectively in the coagulation cascade. Without sufficient vitamin K, these clotting factors are made in an inactive form, leading to impaired clotting and increased bleeding risk. The other options don’t fit because vitamin K’s main role isn’t in platelet function or the formation of white or red blood cells; those processes are governed by different pathways and nutrients.

Vitamin K is essential for the liver to produce active clotting factors. It serves as a cofactor for the enzyme that gamma-carboxylates glutamic acid residues on factors II, VII, IX, and X, plus proteins C and S. This carboxylation enables those factors to bind calcium and participate effectively in the coagulation cascade. Without sufficient vitamin K, these clotting factors are made in an inactive form, leading to impaired clotting and increased bleeding risk. The other options don’t fit because vitamin K’s main role isn’t in platelet function or the formation of white or red blood cells; those processes are governed by different pathways and nutrients.