Which of the Following Mouth Parts of Cockroaches Are Unpaired?
WouterThe following mouth parts of cockroaches are unpaired: the hypopharynx, the labrum, and the mandibles. These mouth parts are used to swallow liquid or semi-liquid food. These parts of a cockroach are not paired; they are unpaired, allowing for greater distal flexibility.
In addition to the mouth, the cockroach has three separate parts to its circulatory system. The first two, the thoracic and abdominal spiracles, remain open all the time. The third, or hypodermis, is a single-layered epithelium, containing movable bristles. These parts are also located in the body wall of the cockroach and are used for sound, vibration, and temperature control.
The mechanosensory system of the cockroach is a complex system of neural receptors. It includes the descending mechanosensory neurons, which relay tactile information to neurons. The antennae also contain mechanoreceptors, which act as tactile sensors. In addition, the antennae have a motor function, and proprioceptors in the antennal joints contribute to the active tactile sense.
In a study of male P. americana cockroaches, we discovered that if a cockroach is prevented from grooming for 24 h, it can still remove three-fifths of the CHCs that accumulate there. Interestingly, even though this may seem a large number, it’s not surprising that a single act of grooming can remove three-fifths of a cockroach’s CHCs. This means that grooming is an effective way to remove accumulated CHCs, and multiple events of grooming are required for normal antennal maintenance.
