Fig. 2: Platelets are activated when they come into contact with an agonist, such as collagen exposed by damaged endothelial cells. When a diet is low in omega-3 fatty acids, activated platelets liberate AA from the phospholipids of the intracellular cell membranes known as the dense tubular system (DTS). Cyclo-oxygenase (COX) associated with the DTS catalyzes AA conversion to TxA₂, leading to increased platelet aggregation, making thrombus formation more likely. Photo by: Lianne Friesen and Nicholas Woolridge