Answer:
air reaches inside the body of an insect through spiracles, which are connected to a network of tracheal tubes. Oxygen enters the tracheae through the spiracles and diffuses into the insect's body cells, while carbon dioxide moves in the opposite direction. The tracheal system of insects is specialized for efficient gas exchange, allowing them to obtain the oxygen they need for respiration.
Step-by-step explanation:
Air reaches inside the body of an insect through a network of tiny tubes called tracheae. Here's how this process occurs:
1. Insects have small openings called spiracles along the sides of their bodies. These spiracles are connected to the tracheal system, which acts as the respiratory system of the insect.
2. When an insect breathes, it opens the spiracles, allowing air to enter the tracheae. The spiracles can be opened and closed by specialized valves to control the flow of air.
3. The tracheal tubes branch out from the spiracles and extend throughout the insect's body, delivering air to all the tissues. The tracheae are reinforced with chitin, a tough and flexible substance that helps keep them open.
4. Oxygen from the air diffuses through the thin walls of the tracheae and enters the insect's body cells, where it is used for cellular respiration. Carbon dioxide, which is produced as a waste product of cellular respiration, moves in the opposite direction, diffusing out of the cells and into the tracheae.
5. To facilitate the movement of air, some insects have specialized structures called air sacs connected to their tracheal system. These air sacs can store and pump air into the tracheae, allowing for increased oxygen supply during periods of high activity.
6. The efficiency of the insect's respiratory system relies on the small size and high surface area of the tracheal tubes, which enable rapid diffusion of gases.
In summary, air reaches inside the body of an insect through spiracles, which are connected to a network of tracheal tubes. Oxygen enters the tracheae through the spiracles and diffuses into the insect's body cells, while carbon dioxide moves in the opposite direction. The tracheal system of insects is specialized for efficient gas exchange, allowing them to obtain the oxygen they need for respiration.