Abstract
Summary
Thromboplastin is consumed when it reacts with prothrombin in the presence of calcium ion. This finding eliminates support for the old concept that thromboplastin is a traditional enzyme, capable of converting unlimited quantities of prothrombin into thrombin. Evidence is presented which shows that the quantity of thrombin produced from an excess of prothrombin is directly proportional to the quantity of thromboplastin added to the reaction mixture. When, on the other hand, thromboplastin is present in excess, the amount of thrombin formed is proportional to the amount of prothrombin added.
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