Respiration in Cockroach and Earthworm

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Jasmine Grover

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Respiration is the process by which we take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide. All living organisms on Earth respire or breathe in order to survive. We take in air when we breathe. As we know, air contains oxygen. We take in carbon dioxide-rich air and exhale it. The air we breathe is carried to all regions of our bodies and, eventually, to each cell. The oxygen in the air helps in the breakdown of food in the cells

A cell is an organism's smallest structural unit. As we all know, the body requires energy to perform various functions such as transportation, respiration, reproduction, nutrition, and so on. The food we eat provides us with energy. As a result, eating a sufficient amount of food is required for an organism's survival. Other animals, like us, require energy to carry out bodily functions. In this article, we will look in-depth at the respiration of cockroaches and earthworms, as well as discuss sample questions from the exam point of view.

Key Terms: Respiration, Cockroach, Earthworm, Energy, Bodily Functions, Spiracles, Trachea, Animals, Oxygen, Carbon Dioxide


Difference between Respiration in Animals and Insects

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The respiratory system of a bird is not the same as the respiratory system of a human. The lungs are the primary respiratory organs of animals such as cows, birds, snakes, elephants, and humans. The lungs in these animals are responsible for exchanging air through the nostrils, nasal cavity, and windpipe. Insects and worms do not have lungs and therefore cannot breathe. As a result, breathing occurs through a different system of respiratory organs in worms and insects. The respiratory system of insects consists of a long, tubular body with tracheal tubes, spiracles, and cerci.

Respiration In Insects

Respiration In Insects

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Respiration in Cockroaches

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Cockroaches are black or brown coloured insects that are found in the dump places, which are found on earth for more than 300 million years. They belong to the category of omnivorous and feed organic matter.

Cockroaches have spiracles, which are small openings on the sides of their bodies. Insects have tracheae, a network of air tubes used for gas exchange. Oxygen-rich air rushes through the spiracles into the tracheal tubes, where it diffuses into the body tissue and reaches every cell. Similarly, carbon dioxide from the cells enters the tracheal tubes and exits through the spiracles. These air tubes, known as tracheae, are found only in insects and no other animals.

Let's take a look at the various parts of the tracheal system that all work together to allow cockroaches to breathe.

  • Spiracles - Like the nostrils of human beings, the cockroaches are also blessed with spiracles which are the small holes present in the lateral surface of the body. The air is carried with the help of these spiracles which pass through the tracheal tube. The opening present in the spiracles is controlled by muscular sphincters. Air comes in when the sphincters are open and the air does not enter when they are close.
  • Trachea - They are tube-like structures that open through spiracles and transport oxygen from the air to other parts of the body.
  • Tracheoles - They are the thinner tube-like structures that are subdivided from the tracheae. They have hemolymph (a fluid network) and are the sites where gaseous exchange occurs through the process of diffusion.
Respiration System of Cockroach

Respiration System of Cockroach

Check More: Difference Between Right Lung And Left Lung


Respiration in Earthworms

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Earthworms are generally found in the soil and help to maintain the fertility of the soil.. An earthworm's respiratory system is made up of a smooth muscular body with sensory organs. They breathe by sucking in air through their skin. When you touch the skin of an earthworm, it feels moist and slimy. They are easily absorbent to gases. The blood capillary is located beneath the skin's surface. The oxygen is then transferred to the anterior region by the dorsal blood vessels and the posterior region by the ventral blood vessels. The air is thus circulated throughout the earthworms' bodies in this manner.

Respiration in Earthworm

Respiration in Earthworm


Things to Remember

  • The respiratory system of insects consists of a long, tubular body with tracheal tubes, spiracles, and cerci
  • Cockroaches belong to the category of omnivorous and feed organic matters.
  • Cockroaches have spiracles, which are small openings on the sides of their bodies.
  • The various parts of the tracheal system that helps in the respiration of cockroaches were spiracles, trachea, tracheoles
  • Earthworms are generally found in the soil and help to maintain the fertility of the soil.
  • An earthworm's respiratory system is made up of a smooth muscular body with sensory organs and they breathe by sucking in air through their skin.
  • Breathing occurs through a different system of respiratory organs in worms and insects

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Sample Questions

Ques. Write a short note on respiration in cockroaches? (3 Marks)

Ans. Cockroaches have spiracles on the sides of their bodies, which are tiny apertures. Insects have tracheae, which are a network of air passages that allow them to exchange gases. The spiracles pump oxygen-rich air into the tracheal tubes, where it diffuses into bodily tissue and reaches every cell. Carbon dioxide from the cells passes through the tracheal tubes and out the spiracles.

Ques. Why are earthworms important for the soil? (3 Marks)

Ans. Earthworms, sometimes known as the "workhorses of the soil," feed the earth and enrich the soil with nutrients. Earthworms assist plants in breaking down decaying organic materials, improving soil fertility and thereby increasing soil productivity. The earthworms' home is soil, and the soil contains nutrients that help them survive and work for nature.

Ques. Write a short note on respiration in earthworms? (3 Marks)

Ans. The respiratory system of an earthworm is made up of a smooth muscular body with sensory organs. They take in air by sucking it into their skin. When you touch an earthworm's skin, it feels slimy and slimy. Gases are easily absorbed by them. Earthworms are a type of worm that lives in the soil and help to keep the soil fertile.

Ques. Explain the function of Spiracles? (2 Marks)

Ans. Cockroaches have spiracles, which are tiny openings located on the body's lateral side. These spiracles, which pass through the tracheal tube, help to transport air. Muscular sphincters control the closing and the opening of the spiracles. When the sphincters are open, air enters; when they are closed, air does not.

Ques. What is the function of the skin in earthworms? (3 Marks)

Ans. The skin is the most vital portion of an earthworm's body since it helps them survive by performing one of the most important functions of the body

  • In earthworms, the process of respiration is carried out through the skin
  • The earthworm's skin is slimy and moist, and it is a gas absorber.

Ques. Explain the function of the Trachea? (3 Marks)

Ans. It helps cockroaches in the function of respiration. The trachea is a tube-like structure that opens through spiracles and transports oxygen from the air to other parts of the body. Tracheoles are the tracheae's thinner tube-like structures that are subdivided. They have hemolymph (a fluid network) and serve as locations for gaseous exchange via diffusion.

Ques. Write a short note on cockroaches? (5 Marks)

Ans. They are black or brown-coloured insects that live in landfills and have been on the planet for over 300 million years. They fall into the omnivorous category and eat organic stuff. Cockroaches have spiracles on the sides of their bodies, which are tiny apertures. Insects have tracheae, which are a network of air passages that allow them to exchange gases. The spiracles pump oxygen-rich air into the tracheal tubes, where it diffuses into bodily tissue and reaches every cell. Carbon dioxide from the cells passes through the tracheal tubes and out the spiracles. Tracheae, or air tubes, are only seen in insects.

Ques. Write a short note on the difference between the respiratory process in animals and insects? (3 Marks)

Ans. A bird's respiratory system is not the same as a human's respiratory system. Cows, birds, snakes, elephants, and humans all have lungs as their major respiratory organs. These animals' lungs are in charge of exchanging air via the nostrils, nasal cavity, and windpipe. Insects and worms lack lungs and hence are unable to breathe. As a result, worms and insects breathe through a separate system of respiratory organs. Insects have a long, tubular body containing tracheal tubes, spiracles, and cerci as part of their respiratory system.


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