Gaseous Exchange in Insects

GASEOUS EXCHANGE IN INSECTS 

Basics of insects 

• Evolved mechanisms to conserve water 
• Evolved internal network of tubes - tracheae into tracheoles
• Increased surface area needed for gas exchange conflicts with water conservation as the water gets evaporatedNetwork of tub

Structure 

• Spiracles ~ where gas enters and leaves, on the abdomen, they can be opened or closed by a valve, when opened the insect will lose water via evaporation 
• Tracheae ~ ringed to support the structure to prevent collapse, divide into tracheoles 
• Tracheoles ~ dead - end tubes, extend throughout the body tissue of insect
• Air is brought directly to the respiring body tissues
• Short diffusion pathway from tracheole to body cell

Movement of respiratory gases 

3 methods...

1. Along a diffusion gradient

• During respiration oxygen is used…