Cockroach Anatomy and Physiology

Comprehensive flashcards covering the alimentary canal, excretory system, nervous system, and sense organs of a cockroach based on lecture notes.

In the cockroach alimentary canal, the __________ is a sac-like structure used for the storage of food.

Crop

The __________, also known as the Proventriculus, is used for grinding food and is internally lined by a chitinous cuticle.

Gizzard

At the junction between the foregut and midgut, there are __________ blind tubules called hepatic caeca that aid in digestion.

$$6-8$$

The midgut, also referred to as the __________ or ventriculus, is followed by the hindgut.

Mesentron

The rectum of a cockroach contains __________ rectal papillae which help in the absorption of water.

6

At the junction between the midgut and hindgut, there are __________ fine yellow coloured filamentous structures called Malpighian tubules.

$$100-150$$

The Malpighian tubules collect nitrogenous wastes from the __________ and convert them into uric acid.

Haemolymph

__________ are a chain of cells present on either side of the heart chambers that collect and eliminate waste materials.

Nephrocytes

Within the fat bodies, __________ are cells that store food.

Trophocytes

The __________ cells in fat bodies store symbiotic microorganisms that digest the cellulose of food.

Mycetocytes

In the fat bodies, __________ are responsible for secreting the waxy coating on the exoskeleton.

Oenocytes

In male cockroaches, the utriculi majores of the mushroom gland are called __________ glands.

Uricose

The __________ ganglia are located above the oesophagus and supply nerves to the antennae and compound eyes.

Supra-oesophageal

The nervous system of a cockroach consists of 9 total ganglia: 3 located in the thorax and __________ located in the abdomen.

6

The nerve cords in a cockroach are described as double, solid, and __________ in position.

Ventral

Cockroaches can live up to __________ after their head is removed because the head only holds a small portion of the nervous system.

One week

The sense organs used for smell, touch, vibration, and humidity are the __________.

Antennae

__________ are sense organs used for touch, danger detection, and sensing air currents.

Anal cerci

The __________ are sense organs that detect light intensity but do not form images.

Ocelli

Each compound eye consists of __________ ommatidia present in hexagonal spaces called facets.

$$2,000$$

The type of vision in cockroaches, characterized by more sensitivity but less resolution, is called __________ vision.

Mosaic