FAQ
A contribution of The Cephalopod Page
| Question: |
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Hi, You say that cephalopods have blue blood. 1. Is this unusual for aquatic creatures? Is this true of gastropods and other mollusks? 2. Why is it blue? 3. Isn't human blood also blue until it is exposed to air? |
| Answer: |
| Many other mollusks have blood like cephalopods; it is a fairly common trait for members of the phylum. Their blood is copper based which gives it a light blue color when it is holding oxygen. Our blood is red when holding oxygen as we have an iron based pigment. True, our blood is blue after it has given up its oxygen. Dr. James Wood |