How Much You Know About Horseshoe Crab? Trivia Quiz

1. Is the horseshoe crab a true crab?

True

False

Horseshoe crabs belong to the phylum, Arthropoda. Their closest relatives are spiders and scorpions.

Explanation

Horseshoe crabs belong to the phylum, Arthropoda. Their closest relatives are spiders and scorpions.

2. Does a horseshoe crab have a nose?

True

False

The horseshoe crab has no nose, but the tiny hairs on the spiny projections around its mouth are chemoreceptors, allowing the crab to smell prey.

Explanation

The horseshoe crab has no nose, but the tiny hairs on the spiny projections around its mouth are chemoreceptors, allowing the crab to smell prey.

3. Horseshoe crabs have been used for:

Skin creams and hair sprays

Fertilizer

Feed for chickens and hogs

All of the Above

Horseshoe crabs have been used for various purposes including the production of skin creams and hair sprays, as fertilizer, and as feed for chickens and hogs. Therefore, the correct answer is "All of the Above".

Explanation

Horseshoe crabs have been used for various purposes including the production of skin creams and hair sprays, as fertilizer, and as feed for chickens and hogs. Therefore, the correct answer is "All of the Above".

4. Horseshoe crab blood is useful for:

Detection of deadly toxins in medical products

Testing for fungal infections

Showing anti-viral and anti-cancer activity

All of the Above

Horseshoe crab blood is useful for detecting deadly toxins in medical products because it contains a substance called Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL), which clots in the presence of bacterial endotoxins. This makes it an effective tool for ensuring the safety of vaccines, intravenous drugs, and medical devices. Additionally, horseshoe crab blood is used for testing fungal infections as it can identify the presence of fungal pathogens. Furthermore, research has shown that horseshoe crab blood exhibits anti-viral and anti-cancer activity, making it a potential source for developing new treatments. Therefore, the correct answer is "All of the Above."

Explanation

Horseshoe crab blood is useful for detecting deadly toxins in medical products because it contains a substance called Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL), which clots in the presence of bacterial endotoxins. This makes it an effective tool for ensuring the safety of vaccines, intravenous drugs, and medical devices. Additionally, horseshoe crab blood is used for testing fungal infections as it can identify the presence of fungal pathogens. Furthermore, research has shown that horseshoe crab blood exhibits anti-viral and anti-cancer activity, making it a potential source for developing new treatments. Therefore, the correct answer is "All of the Above."

5. How old are the earliest species of horseshoe crabs?

200 million years old

300 million years old

450 million years old

500 million years old

Horseshoe crabs are believed to be one of the oldest living species on Earth, with fossil records dating back around 450 million years. This makes them significantly older than dinosaurs. Their evolutionary history can be traced back to the Late Ordovician period, and they have remained relatively unchanged since then. The longevity of horseshoe crabs can be attributed to their unique adaptations and resilience, allowing them to survive and thrive for millions of years.

Explanation

Horseshoe crabs are believed to be one of the oldest living species on Earth, with fossil records dating back around 450 million years. This makes them significantly older than dinosaurs. Their evolutionary history can be traced back to the Late Ordovician period, and they have remained relatively unchanged since then. The longevity of horseshoe crabs can be attributed to their unique adaptations and resilience, allowing them to survive and thrive for millions of years.

6. How many species of horseshoe crabs are there?

1

2

3

4

There are only four species of horseshoe crabs in existence in the world today. These are Limulus polyphemus, Tachypleus gigas, Tachypleus tridentatus, and Carcinoscorpius rotundi-cauda. Only one of these species is found in North America.

Explanation

There are only four species of horseshoe crabs in existence in the world today. These are Limulus polyphemus, Tachypleus gigas, Tachypleus tridentatus, and Carcinoscorpius rotundi-cauda. Only one of these species is found in North America.

7. In 2003, a study found there were this number of adult horseshoe crabs in Pleasant Bay:

100,000

Half-million

Million

Trillion

A study in 2003 revealed a horseshoe crab population of a half-million adults and 13.5 million juveniles in Pleasant Bay.

Explanation

A study in 2003 revealed a horseshoe crab population of a half-million adults and 13.5 million juveniles in Pleasant Bay.

8. What part of the horseshoe crab is used for medical research?

Blood

Eyes

Chitin or Shell

All of the Above

All of the above options are used for medical research in horseshoe crabs. The blood of horseshoe crabs contains a substance called Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL), which is used to test for bacterial contamination in medical equipment and vaccines. The eyes of horseshoe crabs are used to study vision and neurobiology. The chitin or shell of horseshoe crabs is used to develop wound dressings and other medical products. Therefore, all these parts are valuable for medical research purposes.

Explanation

All of the above options are used for medical research in horseshoe crabs. The blood of horseshoe crabs contains a substance called Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL), which is used to test for bacterial contamination in medical equipment and vaccines. The eyes of horseshoe crabs are used to study vision and neurobiology. The chitin or shell of horseshoe crabs is used to develop wound dressings and other medical products. Therefore, all these parts are valuable for medical research purposes.