When the plasma, red blood cells and platelets flow from a cut they come in contact with

the tissue (e.g collagen fibres). This causes the release of substances which aid inflammontry resoponse. The two most important are:
Serotonin - causes the muscle of the vessel to contract. This is essential in the process as when the muscle contracts it cuts off the blood to the damaged area. This allows it to heal faster without disruption of the flow of blood. Thromboplastin - needed for the release of fibrin. It initially catalyses the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin (the right amount of calcium ions need to present for this reaction to take place.) Thrombin acts on another protein called fibrinogen and converts it to fibrin. Fibrin is necessary for the blood to clot successfully. Fibrin acts as a glue and keeps the different platelets and cells in place. More cells get trapped and make the blood clot. Proteins in the platelets contract making the structure tighter and tougher.

Endothelial wall is damaged this causes them to agregate due to negative feedback

Platelets which then come into contact with the components of the tissue e.g. the collagen fibres this causes them to break out in large numbers and release...

Serotonin (which causes the smooth muscle of the vessel to contract ) and ... Thromboplastin Thromboplastin is an enzyme which catalyses the reaction between calcium and prothrombin to make...

Thrombin...

Fibrin forms a mesh which traps platelets, red blood cells and forms a clot...

Thrombin is another enzyme which catalyses the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin...

The proteins in the platelets contract toughening the clot.

What is it and how is it formed?

Atherosclerosis is the obstruction of the arteries by localised deposits of fatty material (including cholesterol) on their inner walls. Atherosclerosis is associated with high blood levels of cholesterol, particularly in the form of lowdensity lipoprotein (bad cholesterol); it can result in heart failure if it affects the coronary arteries. It can begin in late childhood and continue throughout life. Atherosclerosis usually occurs in arteries rather than veins because the blood in the arteries flows fast under high pressure, which puts more strain on the endothelium lining which can cause small areas of damage. Whereas, in the veins the blood pressure is much lower so damage to the endothelium lining is much less likely.
The bodys inflammatory response is stimulated and white blood cells arrive at the site of the damage These cells accumulate chemicals from the body - in particular cholesterol Which leads to fatty deposits on the endothelial lining of the artery (this fatty deposit is called atheroma)

Damage is caused to the vessel wall

This is atherosclerosis

The plaque hardens the vessel wall around it meaning it is then less elastic

Fibrous tissue and calcium salts also build up around the atheroma turning it into a hardened plaque

Atherosclerosis is a disease of the arteries in which fatty material is deposited in the vessel wall, resulting in narrowing and eventual impairment of blood flow. Severely restricted blood flow in the arteries to the heart muscle leads to symptoms such as chest pain. Atherosclerosis shows no symptoms until a complication occurs.