Gas Exchange - Insects Flashcards
What is the exoskeleton?
rigid , has a waxy substance
What properties does the exoskeleton have?
waterproof , which is difficult for gases to diffuse through, but reduces water loss
What are the holes of the exoskeleton called ?
spiracles
What do the spiracles do?
air enters through them and they can be opened for closed
what do the hairs around me the spiracles do?
reduce water loss
what do larger insects have?
a ventilation system , with contractions of the abdomen
What happens once air passes through the spiracles?
goes into the tracheae then into the tracheoles, then diffusion into the cell
what is the tracheae
passages with rigid rings to keep them open
what are tracheoles?
come off the tracheae and there are many of them which increases the surface area and a short diffusion difference
How do larger insects take in more oxygen rapidly when active
my sled pulling the skeletal plates of the abdominal segments together, pumps air into the sacs and recoil lowers the pressure inside which causes air to leave again out of the spiracles
What is an adaptation of insects involving water?
the tracheoles fill up with water and when the muscles are working hard, the muscles produce lactate , lowering the water potential , so water passes in via osmosis , drawing air into the tracheoles closet and reducing diffusion distance
what happens when the abdomen shape expands?
causes the thoracic spiracles to open and the abdomen spiracles close.
this increases volume and reduces pressure
therefore air comes rushing in through thoracic spiracles
what happens when the abdomen relaxes?
the volume is decreased and the pressure is increased
thoracic spiracles close, abdomen spiracles open and air rushes out
