Ques. 1AIPMT 2001
In which of the following animals, haemocyanin pigment is found?
- Annelida
- Echinodermata
- Insecta
- Mollusca
Answer
(4) Mollusca
Solution
Haemocyanin is a copper-containing respiratory pigment, blue when oxygenated, dissolved in the blood plasma.
It occurs in molluscs (e.g. Pila, Octopus) and in some arthropods such as prawns and crabs.
Annelids such as earthworm have haemoglobin; insects transport gases through tracheae and their blood is generally pigment-free; echinoderms have a water vascular system without such a pigment.
∴ Haemocyanin is found in Mollusca.
Answer: (4)