Final answer:
The disintegrin protein in snake venom can prevent blood clotting by interfering with platelet aggregation, leading to excessive bleeding and potential fatality in the snake's prey.
Step-by-step explanation:
The disintegrin protein found in snake venom binds to membrane receptors called integrins. Platelets in the blood use integrin receptors to aggregate or clump together at a site of tissue damage. Therefore, when a snake injects venom into its prey, the disintegrin in the venom can interfere with the platelet aggregation process.
This interference can prevent the prey's blood from clotting properly, leading to excessive bleeding and making it difficult for the prey to stop the bleeding at the site of the snake bite. As a result, the disintegrin in the snake's venom can have a potentially fatal effect on the snake's prey by disrupting the normal clotting process.