Insect Gas Exchange

What are insects exoskeleton made of?

Chitin

What is their outer layer made of and why?

Wax to make it impermeable to water and gasses. This is to reduce water loss by evaporation

What is the tracheal system used for?

For gas to enter and move around the body

What do tracheae branched into?

Tracheoles

Features of tracheoles?

Permeable and pass between cells because they are so thin

What are spiracles?

These lead to the trachea.

What speeds up ventilation?

Whole body contracts by pumping to speed up the movement of air through spiracles

What alters air pressure?

Wing movement as it changes thorax volumes.

What does the flight muscle movement do?

Air sacs contract (filling up) due to flight muscle movement

What is used to avoid unnecessary harm?

Euthanasia (an overdose of anesthetic)

What is right at the end of tracheoles?

Fluid

All the parts in the trachael system

Spiracles: openings in exoskeleton that allows air to enter the system

Tracheae: Large branching tubes that carry air throughout body

Tracheoles: Fine branches that deliver O2 to the individual cells

Air sacs: enlarged tracheae that can store air and help with ventilation