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Difficulty: MediumCirculatory and Transport Systems in Animals

In insects, blood (hemolymph) flows through an open circulatory system directly into body cavities called hemocoels. Which of the following statements correctly explains how oxygen is delivered to body tissues in these organisms?

  1. Oxygen diffuses directly through a branching tracheal system to tissues independently of the hemolymph.Answer
  2. B
    Oxygen is bound to hemoglobin inside red blood cells and pumped under high pressure through closed capillaries.
  3. C
    Oxygenated hemolymph is kept strictly separate from deoxygenated hemolymph by internal muscular septa.
  4. D
    Oxygen is forced into tissues by high hydrostatic pressure generated by a four-chambered heart.

Answer

Oxygen diffuses directly through a branching tracheal system to tissues independently of the hemolymph.
In insects, the open circulatory system transports nutrients, hormones, and metabolic wastes, but does not transport respiratory gases. Oxygen diffuses directly from spiracles through a highly branched tracheal system to body cells without relying on blood or hemoglobin.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the structural characteristics of an open circulatory system in insects.
In insects, hemolymph bathes organs directly in the hemocoel at relatively low pressure.
Understanding circulatory fluid dynamics helps clarify its physiological roles and limitations.
2
Determine how respiratory gas exchange is carried out in insects.
Because low-pressure hemolymph movement is too slow to support rapid oxygen transport, insects rely on a separate tracheal network extending directly to body cells.
Distinguishes the transport of nutrients/wastes via hemolymph from oxygen delivery via tracheae.

Key Concept

Functional characteristics of open circulatory systems and independent tracheal gas exchange in arthropods
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Circulatory and Transport Systems in Animals

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