Question

The tracheal tubes of insects carry _________ to tissues deep inside the body. a. hemolymph b. blood c. air d. water

Short answer

The tracheal tubes of insects carry air to tissues deep inside the body, so the answer is c.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the Tracheal System

Insects have a unique respiratory system called the tracheal system, which is a network of tubes that directly connect to the body's tissues. This system is used for gas exchange.

Identify What is Carried

The main function of the tracheal tubes is to provide a pathway for air, carrying oxygen from the external environment to the insect's internal tissues, and removing carbon dioxide.

Exclusion of Other Options

Review the other options: (a) hemolymph, which is like insect blood that doesn't carry oxygen; (b) blood, which humans use to transport oxygen; (d) water, which is not connected to tracheal tubes in insects.

Select the Correct Option

Based on the understanding that tracheal tubes in insects transport gases specifically, the correct choice is (c) air.

Key concepts

Gas Exchange in Insects

Insects have a fascinating method of exchanging gases essential for their survival. This process occurs through a specialized system known as the tracheal system. Unlike mammals, insects do not rely on blood to transport oxygen and carbon dioxide throughout their bodies. Instead, they utilize tiny tubes called tracheae.

The air enters through spiracles, which are small openings on the surface of the insect's body. Once inside, the tracheae carry the air directly to the tissues. This direct route is highly efficient, allowing insects to quickly exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide without the need for a circulatory system to be involved in gas transport.

Bypassing the blood stream for gas transport is advantageous. It helps reduce the energy and resources needed for blood-borne gas exchange, enabling insects to thrive in various environments.

The Tracheal Respiratory System

The respiratory system of insects, known as the tracheal system, differs significantly from that of vertebrates. In this system, a network of hollow tubes (tracheae) permeates throughout the insect's body, delivering oxygen and removing carbon dioxide with remarkable efficiency.

Each trachea branches into finer tubes called tracheoles. These reach the cellular level, ensuring that oxygen is delivered directly to where it is needed most. This arrangement is crucial, especially given the higher metabolic rates seen in many insects.

• Spiracles: These are the openings that allow air to flow in and out of the tracheal system.
• Tracheae and Tracheoles: A network through which oxygen is distributed and carbon dioxide is expelled.
• Direct Gas Exchange: Facilitates an effective breathing mechanism without relying on a circulatory system.

Through this unique respiratory design, insects can achieve a rapid and effective exchange of gases, supporting their diverse activities and lifestyles.

An Insight into Insect Physiology

Insect physiology is remarkably well-suited to their ecological niches, largely due to specialized structures like the tracheal system for respiration. This direct delivery system enables insects to be light and agile, supporting their varied lifestyles ranging from burrowing to flying.

The efficiency of the tracheal system plays a key role in their physiology, as it supports high metabolic demands without the need for a complex circulatory system. Additionally, the design conserves energy, allowing insects to sustain their activities over wide-ranging environments.

By understanding the intricacies of insect physiology, especially their respiratory adaptations, we can appreciate how well these creatures have evolved to occupy almost every habitat on Earth. Their ability to efficiently manage gas exchange directly through their tracheae highlights their evolutionary success and adaptability.