Digestion and Excretion in Insects

Flashcards covering the topic of Digestion and Excretion of insects.

Complete Alimentary Canal

A digestive system with both a mouth and an anus, allowing for unidirectional food processing.

Enzymatic Hydrolysis

Digestion process using enzymes to break down complex molecules.

Foregut

The area formed from stomodeal invagination and lined with chitin with very little digestion taking place.

Midgut

The area formed from mesenteral growth and not lined with chitin.

Hindgut

The area formed from proctodeal invagination and lined with chitin, but permeable to some substances

Preoral Cavity

The opening where the salivary duct opens in the Generalized Insect Alimentary Canal.

Cibarium

Important structure for food ingestion in the Generalized Insect Alimentary Canal.

Esophagus

Structure that conducts food rearward in the Generalized Insect Alimentary Canal.

Crop

Structure for pre-digestive storage in the Generalized Insect Alimentary Canal.

Proventriculus

Valve in the Generalized Insect Alimentary Canal that also grinds food.

Ventriculus

Structure in the Generalized Insect Alimentary Canal responsible for enzyme secretion.

Gastric Caeca

Tubes that aid in digestion and house microbes in the Generalized Insect Alimentary Canal.

Stomach

Lined with a peritrophic membrane in the Generalized Insect Alimentary Canal.

Intestine

Receives waste from the midgut and excretions from the Malphigian Tubules in the Generalized Insect Alimentary Canal.

Rectum

Reabsorbs water and salts from waste products in the Generalized Insect Alimentary Canal.

Anus

The exit for fecal pellets in the Generalized Insect Alimentary Canal.

Peritrophic Membrane

Special membrane lining of midgut that protects epithelial cells from damage.

Cibarial Space

Contraction of clypeal muscles cause this space to increase and draw in fluids.

Filter Chamber

Anterior and posterior sections of the alimentary canal are in close contact with each other allowing for passive diffusion of water out of the gut.

Fat Body

Amorphous white/yellow tissue present in many insects, mainly in the abdomen, surrounding the alimentary canal.

Trophocyte

Responsible for all metabolic & storage functions in the fat body.

Symbionts

Bacteria, yeast, other fungi, or protozoans insects ingest that helps to metabolize certain compounds.

Malphigian Tubules

Blind tubes, one cell thick, that empty into the midgut/hindgut junction.

Uric Acid

Most common nitrogenous product in terrestrial insects that conserves water.

Ammonia

Commonly excreted by aquatic and semi-aquatic insects and does not conserve water.

Labial Glands

Take the place of Malphigian tubules in Collembola, Diplura and Aphids