Page 7 - Crustaceans
P. 7
HORSESHOE crab
• Use hemocyanin (protein) to carry
oxygen. The copper present in
hemocyanin make their blood blue.
• Blood contains amebocytes, which
play a role similar to white blood cells
of vertebrates in defending the
organism against pathogens.
• Amebocytes from the blood of L.
polyphemus are used to make
Limulus amebocyte lysate, which is
used for the detection of bacterial
endotoxins in medical applications.
