How Do Ants Breathe?
WouterUnlike land vertebrates and humans, ants do not have lungs and are therefore dependent on a different way of transporting oxygen around their bodies. They breathe through tiny holes in their body called spiracles. These holes are connected by tubes to the ant’s inner organs.
Most ants have nine or ten spiracles on the outside of their bodies. Each spiracle is connected to a series of tubes called tracheae. These tubes transport oxygen and carbon dioxide to and from the ant’s cells. This system is similar to the way that humans transport oxygen through blood. The tracheae are connected to the membranes that surround the cells. The tubes then branch out among the cells, allowing oxygen to diffuse into the cells.
Spiracles are located in the ant’s exoskeleton, and they are scattered throughout the body. There are one or two pairs on each side of the ant’s body.
The spiracles are connected to a dorsal vessel, which acts as the ant’s heart. It also carries nutrients throughout the ant’s body. This vessel can be one or two segments, depending on the species. It is located near the junction of the leg-body segment.
Flyways are openings located at the bottom of the ant’s body. These openings help the ants move around. The flyways are surrounded by fuzzy material, and they push the air along at different speeds. This helps the ants move while they eat.
The ant’s muscles are larger than the muscles of bigger animals, and this allows the ant to exert more force. This allows the ant to lift more than 20 times its own body weight. This helps the ant to carry heavier food than its body can hold.
