Horseshoe Crabs and Their Medical Importance

Horseshoe crabs, ancient arthropods, have unique blue blood due to hemocyanin. Their blood lacks an immune system but contains coagulogen, which forms a barrier against bacteria. This property is crucial for medical testing, ensuring injections are bacteria-free. Conservation efforts are ongoing to protect these creatures while exploring synthetic alternatives.

What family do horseshoe crabs belong to?

• Arachnids

• Insects

• Limulidae

• Crustaceans

How old is the oldest known horseshoe crab fossil?

• 500 million years

• 200 million years

• 450 million years

• 300 million years

What makes horseshoe crab blood blue?

• Magnesium

• Iron

• Copper

• Zinc

What protein do horseshoe crabs release to protect against infections?

• Fibrinogen

• Coagulogen

• Albumin

• Hemoglobin

Who discovered the medical potential of horseshoe crab blood?

• Robert Koch

• Fredrick Bang

• Alexander Fleming

• Louis Pasteur

What is the primary use of horseshoe crab blood in medicine?

• Bacteria detection in injections

• Antibiotic production

• Pain relief

• Vaccine development

How much can a liter of horseshoe crab blood be worth?

• $15,000

• $20,000

• $10,000

• $5,000

What is the LAL test used for?

• Detecting viruses

• Detecting bacteria in medical solutions

• Testing blood sugar levels

• Measuring blood pressure

What is a concern regarding the collection of horseshoe crab blood?

• It weakens the crabs

• It is too expensive

• It causes pollution

• It is illegal

What is being researched as an alternative to horseshoe crab blood?

• Synthetic coagulogen

• Insect blood

• Fish scales

• Plant-based solutions