Question

Name the structure responsible for gaseous exchange in grasshoper

Answer 1

The respiratory system in insects is called the tracheal system. It involves the diffusion of oxygen directly from the atmosphere into the air-filled tubes. Thus, the diffusion is through air and hence, is more efficient than the diffusion through water (300,000 times more) or tissues (1,000,000 times more).



Grasshopper - Respiratory System

In grasshopper, the tracheal system consists of 10 pairs of spiracles, located laterally on the body surface. Of these, 2 pairs are thoracic and 8 pairs are abdominal. The spiracles are guarded by fine hairs to keep the foreign particles out and by valves that function to open or close the spiracles as required. The spiracles open into small spaces called the atria that continue as air tubes called the tracheae. The tracheae are fine tubes that have a wall of single layered epithelial cells. The cells secrete spiral cuticular thickenings around the tube that gives support to the tubes.