Arthrpod Lifestyles

Question 0

Describe water conservation in terms of excretion

Answer 0

Excretion is the elimination of molecules that have taken part in metabolic reactions.
Kidneys primary function is to get rid of metabolic waste as ammonia, urea or uric acid.

Question 1

How rod they deal with water loss.

Answer 1

Tolerance: different organisms have different tolerance levels.
Regulation: curb loss (conserve)- favourable microclimates, timing of activity patterns, water proofing. Maximising gain- drink/food, osmotic (immerse themselves in water), vapour- dew

Question 2

Describe the mechanism of huge kidney

Answer 2

Filtration: extraction of water and small solubles including metabolic wastes from the body fluid into the excretory system. Takes place as blood flows into kidney.
Reabsorption: process of taking up sugar, vitamins, organic nutrients and water that have been filtered.
Secretion: discharge of wastes from the body fluid into the filtrate
Excretion: disposal of nitrogen-containing waste products of metabolism

Question 3

What special adaptation do insects in try environments have to their malpighian tubuleS?

Answer 3

Membrane and distal ends are packed around the rectum- any water around the rectum will be rebasorbed osmotically.

Question 4

Describe water loss in terms of respiration

Answer 4

Insects have a tracheal respiratory system with spiral taenidial ridges. Closer muscles close the spiracles.
Abdominal pumping and spiracle closing is used to ventilate the tracheal system, can circulate air by bringing it in through spiracles and pumping out abdomen.
Spiracle activity increasing oxygen uptake dramatically and when they’re open, all the CO2 is flushed out the body. Water loss increases as spiracles open because there is no blockage on the open spiracles

Question 5

Why are eggs problematic?

Answer 5

Small so must be enclosed in a very water tight shell (which makes it hard to absorb oxygen and get rid of CO2)

Question 6

Describe ways an insect can warm up and cool down

Answer 6

Warm up:
- basking (shape is important and a large body means less convection)
- shivering (especially flight muscles)
Cool down:
- have web in shade
- posture can minimise insulation and radiation
- pigment coloration helps lower insulation and Tyndall scattering- reflection of the particles under the exoskeleton.
- burrowing affects the ambient temperature and how they move around.