Which of the following plasma proteins plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance between coagulation and anticoagulation by binding to and inhibiting the activity of thrombin?

A Antithrombin III
B Protein C
C Protein S
D Plasminogen
Antithrombin III is a plasma protein that binds to and inhibits the activity of thrombin, thereby maintaining the balance between coagulation and anticoagulation.
Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology
Hematology Hematology: Blood Components Hematology: Blood Components Hard MEDICAL Confidence: high