TED-ED: Why do we harvest horseshoe crab blood? - Elizabeth Cox

Horseshoe crabs are captured for their blood, which is used in medical testing due to its sensitivity to bacterial endotoxins. Their unique immune system is a result of their open circulatory system and bacteria-rich habitats. However, human activities, including blood harvesting and habitat destruction, threaten their populations. Conservation efforts and synthetic alternatives are being explored to reduce reliance on horseshoe crab blood.

What is the primary reason horseshoe crabs are captured on beaches?

• To collect their eggs

• To harvest their blood

• To observe their juvenile growth

• To study their spawning habits

What is the main function of amebocytes in horseshoe crab blood?

• To detect bacterial endotoxins

• To transport oxygen

• To aid in digestion

• To regulate temperature

How does the LAL test benefit human health?

• By detecting viruses in the bloodstream

• By identifying bacterial endotoxins in medical products

• By curing bacterial infections

• By enhancing immune response

What percentage of horseshoe crabs die during the blood harvesting process?

• Up to 5%

• Up to 10%

• Up to 15%

• Up to 20%

What is one of the major threats to horseshoe crab populations?

• Overfishing for food

• Pollution from oil spills

• Destruction of spawning sites

• Climate change