/*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} Problem 9 Evoution connection one opponent... [FREE SOLUTION] | 91影视

91影视

Log out

Learning Materials

Features

Discover

Chapter 42: Problem 9

Evoution connection one opponent of the movie monster Godzilla is Mothra, a mothlike creature with a wingspan of several dozen meters. The largest known insects were Paleozoic dragonflies with half-meter wingspans. Focusing on respiration and gas exchange, explain why giant insects are improbable.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Giant insects are improbable due to the inefficiency of oxygen diffusion in larger bodies and today鈥檚 lower atmospheric oxygen levels.

Step by step solution

01

Understand insect respiration

Insects breathe through a network of tiny tubes called tracheae that transport oxygen directly to tissues and cells. These tubes open to the outside through small holes called spiracles.
02

Recognize size constraints

As insects increase in size, the surface area to volume ratio decreases. This means that the surface area available for gas exchange does not scale up proportionally with the body's volume.
03

Oxygen diffusion limitation

The diffusion of oxygen through the tracheal system becomes inefficient over larger distances. Thus, beyond a certain size, the tracheae cannot supply sufficient oxygen to the inner cells of larger insects.
04

Historical context

During the Paleozoic era, higher atmospheric oxygen levels allowed larger insects to exist because the increased concentration of oxygen made the diffusion process more efficient.
05

Modern limitations

Today's lower atmospheric oxygen levels limit how large insects can grow. The respiratory system of modern insects would not support the metabolic needs of a giant insect like Mothra with a several-meter wingspan.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91影视!

Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Tracheal System
Insects have a unique way of breathing compared to larger animals. They use a tracheal system made up of tiny tubes called tracheae. These tubes transport oxygen directly to their tissues and cells.
The tracheae connect to the outside world through small openings called spiracles. When an insect breathes, air enters through the spiracles and travels down the tracheal tubes to reach all parts of its body.
This system works well for small creatures because the oxygen doesn't have to travel far to reach every cell. However, the efficiency drops as the insect gets larger.
Oxygen Diffusion
Oxygen needs to diffuse through the tracheal tubes to reach an insect's cells. Diffusion is the movement of oxygen from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.
While this process is efficient for small distances, it becomes a problem for larger insects. The larger the insect, the longer the distance oxygen has to travel, making diffusion slower and less effective.
Because of this, if an insect were to grow very large, the oxygen wouldn't be able to reach its inner cells fast enough to meet its metabolic needs.
Surface Area to Volume Ratio
The surface area to volume ratio is crucial in understanding why large insects are improbable. This ratio compares the total surface area of an insect to its volume.
As an insect grows, its volume increases faster than its surface area. This means that there is less surface area for gas exchange compared to its body size.
With a lower surface area to volume ratio, larger insects can't efficiently exchange gases, making it difficult for them to breathe properly.
Paleozoic Era
The Paleozoic era, which occurred hundreds of millions of years ago, had much higher oxygen levels in the atmosphere compared to today.
These higher oxygen levels made it possible for larger insects like giant dragonflies to exist. The increased oxygen concentration allowed diffusion to be more efficient, thereby supporting larger body sizes.
This historical context helps explain why enormous insects like those in the Paleozoic era are not seen today.
Modern Atmospheric Oxygen Levels
Today, the atmospheric oxygen levels are much lower than they were in the Paleozoic era.
Modern insects are limited by these lower oxygen levels, which restricts their growth.
The tracheal system of today's insects can only support a certain body size because the oxygen supply must meet metabolic demands.
Therefore, a giant insect like Mothra with a several-meter wingspan is highly unlikely in our current atmospheric conditions.

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

Which of the following respiratory systems is not closely associated with a blood supply? (A) the lungs of a vertebrate (B) the gills of a fish (C) the tracheal system of an insect (D) the skin of an earthworm

The diving bell spider (Argyroneta aquatica) stores alr underwater in a net of silk. Explain why this adaptation could be more advantageous than having gills, taking into account differences in gas exchange media and gas exchange organs among anlmals.

WRITE ABOUT A THEME: INTERACTIONS Some athletes prepare for competition at sea level by sleeping in a tent in which \(\mathrm{P}_{\mathrm{O}_{2} \text { is kept low. When climbing high peaks, some }}\) mountaineers breathe from bottles of pure \(\mathrm{O}_{2} .\) In a short essay \(\left(100-150\) words), relate these behaviors to the mechanism of \(\mathrm{O}_{2}\right.\) transport in the human body and to physiological interactions with our gaseous environment.

Compared with the interstitial fluid that bathes active muscle cells, blood reaching these cells in arterioles has a (A) higher \(\mathrm{P}_{\mathrm{O}_{2}}\) . (B) higher \(\mathrm{P}_{\mathrm{CO}_{2}}\) (C) greater bicarbonate concentration. (D) lower pH.

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY Hundreds of studies have linked smoking with cardiovascular and lung disease. According to most health authorities, smoking is the leading cause of preventable premature death in the United States. What are some arguments in favor of a total ban on cigarette advertising? What are arguments in opposition? Do you favor or oppose such a ban? Explain.
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Biology Textbooks

Cellular Energetics

Read Explanation

Biological Processes

Read Explanation

Responding to Change

Read Explanation

Biological Structures

Read Explanation

Cells

Read Explanation

Cell Communication

Read Explanation
View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.