Hemostasis is the process that prevents and stops bleeding when a blood vessel is injured. It involves a series of steps that work together to form a clot, ensuring that blood loss is minimized. The first step is vascular spasm, where the blood vessels constrict to reduce blood flow. Next, platelets, which are small cell fragments in the blood, gather at the injury site and stick together, forming a temporary plug. Once the platelet plug is formed, a series of chemical reactions occur, leading to the activation of proteins called clotting factors. These factors work together to create a stable blood clot, which reinforces the platelet plug and allows the body to begin healing the damaged vessel.