Do Cockroaches Have Blood?
WouterA cockroach’s blood is not blood. Instead, it is a fluid called hemolymph. This fluid is used as a reservoir and helps transport nutrients to the different parts of the body. It also helps maintain the body’s hydrostatic pressure. Hemolymph also bathes the visceral organs. This fluid contains both colourless plasma and haemocytes, which help in the process of phagocytosis, coagulation, and wound healing.
Cockroaches’ blood is clear or whitish in color. It contains no red or purple hemoglobin, which gives human blood its red color. In addition, the fluid is non-aerobic and does not flow like human or animal blood. It is composed of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.
A cockroach’s blood circulates through open veins and capillaries, not in closed ones like those in humans. This means that the cockroach’s blood does not pump under pressure like human blood does. It sloshes around in its tissues. It does not have a heart with 13 chambers, but if it does get hurt, its blood will clot.
The hemolymph of a cockroach is made up of a mixture of proteins, amino acids, carbohydrates, and lipids. It contains about twenty to fifty percent water. The fluid also contains hemocytes. These cells play a vital role in immunity. They help protect the young from harmful pathogens and strengthen the immune system. The fluid also transports materials and flushes toxins from the body. Without it, cockroaches would not be able to survive.
