Question

Answer the following question.

Give an account on the tracheal system of cockroach.

Answer 1

1. A cockroach has an internal respiratory system of air tubes called tracheal system by which the air is brought into the body and is in contact with every part of the body. It allows the exchange of gases directly between the air and tissues without the need of blood. These air tubes of the internal respiratory system begin at the opening on body surface called spiracles.
   
2. Spiracles: They are paired respiratory openings. Spiracles are present on the ventro-lateral side of the body, in the pleural membrane. Cockroaches have two pairs of thoracic and eight pairs of abdominal spiracles. The spiracles open into a series of air sacs from which arise the tubes called trachea. The spiracles let the air into and out of the trachea.
3. Trachea: The trachea form a definite pattern of branching tubes arranged transversely as well as longitudinally. They are about 1mm thick and have spiral or annular thickening of chitin. The inner lining of chitin prevents the trachea from collapsing. Each trachea further branches into smaller tubes called tracheoles.
4. Tracheoles: These are fine intracellular tubes that penetrate deep into tissues. They are thin and not lined by chitin. They end blindly in the cells. Each tracheole at the blind end is filled with a watery fluid through which the exchange of gases takes place. The content of this fluid keeps changing. At the high muscular activity, part of fluid part is drawn into the tissues to enable more and rapid oxygen intake.