During which phase do scabs and scar tissue build to protect the wound?

The correct answer is the Proliferative Phase, as this is the stage in the wound healing process where new tissue forms to replace lost or damaged tissue. During this phase, fibroblasts play a crucial role by producing collagen and extracellular matrix, which help in forming granulation tissue. This granulation tissue serves as a scaffold for new blood vessels and cells, and it is during this time that scabs form on the surface of the wound.

Scabs are primarily made up of blood clots and dried serum, which protect the underlying tissue as it begins to heal. Additionally, the formation of scar tissue occurs as the collagen deposited by fibroblasts matures and reorganizes over time, eventually leading to the closing of the wound and restoration of the skin.

In understanding the other phases, the Inflammatory Phase focuses on controlling bleeding and preventing infection, primarily through the action of platelets and immune cells. The Remodeling Phase occurs after the Proliferative Phase and involves the maturation and reorganization of scar tissue but does not involve the initial formation of scabs and scar tissue as seen during the Proliferative Phase. The Healing Phase is often considered synonymous with the entire process but doesn’t specifically denote the critical activities happening during the