Final answer:
True, the Limulus amoebocyte assay or LAL test is used to detect minute amounts of endotoxin in drugs and medical devices through a reaction with horseshoe crab blood cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement is true: the Limulus amoebocyte assay, also known as the Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) test, is indeed used to detect minute amounts of endotoxin in drugs and medical devices. In this test, blood cells from the horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus) are mixed with a sample to test for endotoxin presence. A reaction leading to coagulation or a color change indicates the presence of endotoxin, confirming contamination in the sample being tested. This assay is particularly sensitive to endotoxins, which are components of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria that can cause severe reactions in humans.