Gas exchange in insects

• What do insects use for gas exchange

  Tracheae
• What are the tiny pores called on insects

  Spiracles
• Steps to gas exchange in insects

  Air moves from trachea through spiracles

  Oxygen travels down concentration gradient towards cell

  Trachea branch off into tracheoles which go into individual cells

  Carbon dioxide form cells moves down concentration gradient towards spiracles

  Rhythmic abdominal movements to move air in and out
• Structural adaptions of insects which increase diffusion

  Tracheoles have thin walls - Short diffusion distance

  Tracheoles highly branched - Large SA for gas exchange

  Muscles pump body force air in and out - Maintains conc. gradient

  Spiracles can be close - Prevents water loss