Why is bug blood not red

That's not the case, however, for horseshoe crabs: Horseshoe crabs are bled in the PBS documentary Crash. PBS These arthropods' blood uses a different protein, called hemocyanin , to bind oxygen.

A number of other marine species also have hemocyanin in their blood, and depending on the surrounding tissue, it can sometimes appear purplish, like in this red rock crab : A cut-open red rock crab.

Jerry Kirkhart Meanwhile, some marine worms such as peanut worms , have purple blood for a different reason: an oxygen-binding protein called hemerythrin.

Like hemocyanin, it only turns color when oxygenated, and in some species — like the peanut worm — you can see this purple color without cutting them open, thanks to somewhat translucent skin: Vmenkov Finally, there are other marine worms called polychaetes that have blood with yet another oxygen-binding protein, called chlorocruonin. And though it looks red when concentrated, when it's more diluted, it can appear bright green and, as with peanut worms, can be seen through the skin : Antisense Read more : Andy Brunning takes on another interesting chemistry question: Why does old book smell have hints of vanilla?

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We and our partners process data to: Actively scan device characteristics for identification. You've probably heard someone use the phrase "blood red," but have you ever wondered if all blood really is red? For example, think about the bugs you've seen splatter against your car's windshield, leaving behind a clear, yellowish, or greenish liquid.

That liquid, is hemolymph, or insect blood. The blood of an insect functions differently than the blood of a human. In humans, blood gets its red color from hemoglobin, which travels through blood vessels carrying oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. Insect blood, however, does not carry gasses and has no hemoglobin. Instead, bugs have a system of tubes that transport gasses directly between their cells and the outside air.

In fact, insects don't even have blood vessels.