Gas exchange in insects

Question 1

What are the adaptations of the tracheal system of an insect?

Answer 1

Lots of thin, branching tracheoles → short diffusion pathway
Large surface area → rapid diffusion
Rhythmic abdominal movements increase efficiency or gas exchange by increasing the amount of oxygen entering → maintains concentration gradient

Question 2

How does oxygen move into an insect?

Answer 2

1) air moves through spiracles
2) air moves through trachae
3) gas exchange at tracheoles directly to/from cells
-oxygen diffuses down a concentration gradient to respiring cells
-carbon dioxide diffuses down concentration gradient from respiring cells