Cockroaches and Hemolymph Concentration in the Body
Cockroaches and Hemolymph Concentration in the Body
Abstract This lab was conducted to determine the concentration of hemolymph in the body of a cockroach. It was done by making serial dilutions to make a standard graph by injecting a dye into a cockroach and determining the concentration at different times with the use of a spectrophotometer to find the optical density which is measured in absorbance. Results showed that the concentration was not within the pre-experiment research range. Introduction: Cockroaches as well as all other insects have an open circulatory system. Unlike humans who have a closed circulatory system with arteries and veins, insects do not have any arteries or veins. They have a body of internal fluids and they use diffusion to transfer nutrients and oxygen across their bodies. This process of diffusion is only made possible because of their small bodies. In practical terms, cockroaches are cheaper than vertebrates, and since they are neither "furry" nor "cuddly" their use does not anger the animal-rights enthusiasts. In terms of economics and public health, we need to know everything we can about insects because of their enormous impact on humans as crop pests, carriers of disease, pollinators, etc. But they also have a fascination in their own right. For instance, they represent the only other major group of animals that, with the "higher" vertebrates, have successfully conquered the terrestrial habitat. Insects and mammals have a vastly different evolutionary heritage: evolution has had to work with very different basic body plans to produce two highly successful terrestrial organism (Smith 119-139). Insects regulate their hemolymph volume by a variety of mechanisms including hormonal and metabolic factors. In an aquatic environment, insects must continuously excrete water to
compensate for water uptake, whereas in a hot, dry terrestrial environment the insect must conserve water – in both these instances, the volume of the
Abstract This lab was conducted to determine the concentration of hemolymph in the body of a cockroach. It was done by making serial dilutions to make a standard graph by injecting a dye into a cockroach and determining the concentration at different times with the use of a spectrophotometer to find the optical density which is measured in absorbance. Results showed that the concentration was not within the pre-experiment research range. Introduction: Cockroaches as well as all other insects have an open circulatory system. Unlike humans who have a closed circulatory system with arteries and veins, insects do not have any arteries or veins. They have a body of internal fluids and they use diffusion to transfer nutrients and oxygen across their bodies. This process of diffusion is only made possible because of their small bodies. In practical terms, cockroaches are cheaper than vertebrates, and since they are neither "furry" nor "cuddly" their use does not anger the animal-rights enthusiasts. In terms of economics and public health, we need to know everything we can about insects because of their enormous impact on humans as crop pests, carriers of disease, pollinators, etc. But they also have a fascination in their own right. For instance, they represent the only other major group of animals that, with the "higher" vertebrates, have successfully conquered the terrestrial habitat. Insects and mammals have a vastly different evolutionary heritage: evolution has had to work with very different basic body plans to produce two highly successful terrestrial organism (Smith 119-139). Insects regulate their hemolymph volume by a variety of mechanisms including hormonal and metabolic factors. In an aquatic environment, insects must continuously excrete water to
compensate for water uptake, whereas in a hot, dry terrestrial environment the insect must conserve water – in both these instances, the volume of the
References: • Czpla, H. "Journal of comparative Physiology ." Journal of comparative Physiology . 160.2 171-181. Web. 6 Nov. 2012. . Tested studies for laboaratory teaching. 15. (1994): 119-139. Web. 6 Nov. 2012. . • • United States. Centeral Borad of Secretary education. Blood vascular system is open and lacunar type. 2010. Print.