Gas Exchange In Insects

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Gas Exchange in insects
The gas exchange system in insects is also internal to decrease the risk of desiccation, like mammals. Insects do not breath thought their mouth or have an associated blood system like mammals and fish. Gas exchange enters the body thought openings in the abdomen, these openings are call spiracles, these Spiracles are controlled by muscles. This means that the insect can close the spiracles to prevent moisture loss in hot environments.
They are also often lined with fine hairs that filter the air as it enters, in the same way the nose does in humans preventing damage and clogging of the gas exchange system. These Spiracles are the opening of fine tubes called tracheae. The tracheae form a network of tubes in the insect; the ends of these tracheae are in contact with individual cells. There is a small amount of fluid at the end of the tracheae, which the oxygen dissolves in allowing diffusion to occur over the membrane directly into the cells. The tracheae are highly branched; this helps increase the surface area of the gas exchange system helping diffusion to be more efficient. Insects can also use rhythmic movements of the abdomen so increase the amount of …show more content…

Different insects use different adaptations to help there survive in an aquatic environment. Some insects like the giant water bug Lethocerus medius use a adaptation called a respiratory siphon, this is a long snorkel like tube at the rear of the insect that allows it to collect air from the surface while remaining under water while maintaining contact with the surface to breath. If the bug has to dive, it can draw air in though the siphon before holding its breath for close to half an

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