Question

page 470 24.2. describe the function of the different components of blood, and compare the three types of blood vesse
horseshoe crab blood coagulates quickly in the presence of gram-negative bacteria. this makes
horseshoe crab blood medically valuable, and it is harvested for the testing of vaccines and other
medical equipment to ensure they are free of bacteria.
the active molecules in the horseshoe crab blood that cause coagulation in response to bacteria
mimic the activities of which of the following component(s) of human blood?
correct answer(s)

platelets
red blood cells
white blood cells
plasma
incorrect answer(s)

Explanation:

Horseshoe crab blood coagulates to trap bacteria, similar to how human platelets initiate clotting (coagulation) in response to injury/pathogens to prevent infection. Red blood cells carry oxygen, white blood cells fight infection via immunity (not direct coagulation), and plasma is the fluid matrix—none mimic the coagulation function here.

Answer:

platelets