How Do Ants Have Blood?
WouterUnlike vertebrates, ants don’t have arteries and veins. Instead, their bodies have an open spherical system that distributes blood and other fluids through their bodies freely.
The blood that ants carry is called hemolymph. It’s not red, like human blood, but it is green or yellow. It doesn’t contain hemoglobin, the protein that transports oxygen. Ants use hemolymph to carry nutrients, hormones, and metabolic products. The hemolymph is also responsible for bathing organs.
The hemolymph in ants circulates from the heart. It’s a watery fluid that contains proteins, amino acids, sugars, and inorganic ions. Ants also use hemolymph to assist with movement. This fluid has a pleasant odor.
Ants also have a dorsal vessel, which is a tubular structure that runs along the dorsal side of the ant’s body. It has a nerve cord running through the center. The dorsal vessel is divided into chambers that are connected by valves. It has contractile movements, which push the hemolymph through the body.
The hemolymph is pumped from the heart to the hemocoel, a body cavity. The haemolymph then returns to the heart, where it’s pumped back into the body. It’s important to note that the ant circulatory system does not have veins, so the blood pressure is low.
Hemolymph contains a protein called hemocyanin, which is a copper-containing molecule. It also contains free-floating cells called hemocytes. These hemocytes transport oxygen and other nutrients to the ant’s tissues.
Hemolymph is similar to blood, but it lacks hemoglobin and red blood cells. It’s clear, watery, and it has direct contact with the cells in the insect’s body.
