Respiration Process in Cockroach and Earthworm

Respiration in cockroaches and earthworms is distinct from each other. Respiration is a metabolic process of breathing in oxygen to break food down to produce energy and exchange carbon dioxide with the atmosphere. Cockroaches can respire through spiracles, which allow air to enter their respiratory systems. On the other side, earthworms respire through their moist body and capillaries, which are their major respiratory organ of them.

What is Respiration?

Respiration is a metabolic process wherein oxygen transfers to cells from the environment and, excrete out carbon dioxide. This process combines oxygen and glucose in cells to produce the “energy currency” Adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP carries the energy to cells. The concept of respiration for insects and worms is different from humans. There are no such respiratory organs to perform the process as humans have. Let’s discuss the respiration process of cockroaches and earthworms.

Respiration in Cockroach

The cockroach is the most common visible insect in our everyday life. These insects are also known for their resilient nature and adaptability and have a specific type of respiration procedure. Let’s have a look at their respiration system.

Major Points to Remember About the Respiratory System of Cockroaches:

• Lungs are not present in their respiration system.
• The tiny tubes also known as tracheaes deliver oxygen directly to cells. It is the major respiratory organ of the cockroaches.
• Spiracles serve as openings for air exchange.

Respiratiory Organs of Cockroaches

Cockroaches are generally nocturnal and their respiratory system supports them to stay alive in the low-oxygen envirinments. There are three major components in the cockroach respiration system as mentioned below:

Tracheae	Due to a lack of lungs, the cockroach has a tubular system that branches throughout the body, also known as tracheae. These ten pairs of tracheaes are responsible for transporting oxygen to the cells and tissues.
Spiracles	Spiracles are small openings that are located along the whole body. These are the entry points of oxygen to the tracheal system.
Tracheoles	Tracheoles are the small and thin-walled fine tubes that extend from the Tracheae. They form a complex network that penetrates various tissues and organs. At the cellular level, tracheoles exchange gases to carry out the respiration process.

Respiration Cycle of Cockroach

Do you know, that cockroaches can hold their breath for up to seven minutes? Their breathing system is really powerful. In this flow chart, we will learn, how the respiratory system of a cockroach works.

Intake of Air (Oxygen)

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Through Spiracles

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Enters Tracheae

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Tracheae Branch into Tracheoles throughout Body

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Oxygen Diffuses into Cells

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Carbon Dioxide Produced

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Carbon Dioxide Exits Body through Spiracles

In this flowchart, it is visible that oxygen enters the body via spiracles into the tracheal. At this time, oxygen diffuses into cells and releases carbon dioxide at the end of the process.

Respiration in Earthworm

The earthworms are terrestrial invertebrates. They live on the earth’s surface and keep soils porous and suitable for agriculture. They don’t have any respiration system. But earthworms have moist skin as their breathing organs are present in their skin.

Respiration Process of Earthworm

Earthworms can transport salt and water through their moist skin. This process is called active transport. In this flowchart, we will learn how earthworms repirate through their skin.

Earthworms breathe through their moist skin

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Oxygen from the surrounding environment diffuses through the moist skin surface into the earthworm’s body.

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Oxygen is transported through the earthworm’s circulatory system or blood vessels.

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Oxygen is delivered to the cells of the earthworm’s body for cellular respiration.

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Cellular respiration produces CO2.

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Carbon dioxide produced in the cells diffuses out of the earthworm’s body through the skin.

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The moist environment around the skin helps facilitate the diffusion of gases.

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The earthworm expels carbon dioxide into the surrounding environment through its skin.

In this table, we can see that earthworm passes oxygen to cells through its moist skin through capillaries. In this process, Haemoglobin is a major factor that helps to pick up oxygen for the respiration process and release carbon dioxide in the blood.

Difference Between the Respiration System of Cockroach and Earthworm

Lets discuss the major differences between the respiration system of cockroach and earthworm.

Respiration System Of Cockroach	Respiration System Of Earthworm
Respiration through tracheae.	Respiration through skin.
Major organs are Tracheae and tracheoles.	Major organs is skin.
Oxygen Flow: Spiracles -> Tracheae -> Cell	Oxygen directly enters through the moist skin.
CO2 Flow: Spiracles <- Tracheae <- Cell	CO2 directly exists through the moist skin.
Does not depend on the moisture to run an efficient respiratory system.	Actively relies on the moisture.

FAQs on Respiration in Cockroach and Earthworm

1. How many Spericlaes are there in a Cockroach’s Respiratory System?

Cockroaches typically have ten pairs of spiracles, two spiracles per thoracic segment and eight pairs along the abdomen. These external openings allow air to enter the tracheal system.

2. What kind of Tissue fluid Present in Cockroaches and Earthworms?

In both cockroaches and earthworms, hemolymph functions as the tissue fluid. Hemolymph circulates nutrients, gases, and other substances throughout the body. It also helpes in the respiratory system.

3. What is the Major Differnce between Cockroach and Earthworm Respiratory System?

Cockroach uses tracheae, which are a network of tubes and tracheoles for terrestrial respiration. On the other hand, earthworm relies on skin respiration.

4. What is the Advantage of the Tracheal system in Cockroaches?

Cockroaches have a tracheal system that helps them breathe easily. This system is efficient and allows direct gas exchange. Oxygen quickly moves through their tracheae and tracheoles. Cockroaches can respire effectively without lungs.

5. Why is Cutaneous Respiration Significant for Earthworms?

Cutaneous respiration is crucial for earthworms due to its relevance in their semi-aquatic environments. The earthworms’ skin is permeable to gases and makes it an essential organ for respiration. This enables direct exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide with environment.

6. Do Cockroache and Earthworms have Lungs?

No, neither cockroaches nor earthworms have lungs. Cockroaches use a tracheal system. Otherside, earthworms rely on cutaneous respiration through their moist skin.