How Do Spiders Breathe?
WouterSpiders breathe in two ways. Some of them use book lungs, while other species use tracheae. These organs work together to provide spiders with efficient breathing. The spiders can also absorb oxygen from the water.
Book lungs are hollow plates with slits on their surface. The slits allow the air to come in and out passively. But the slits never completely close.
A diving bell is another method of extracting oxygen from water. A diving bell spider collects oxygen in bubbles on their abdomen. This allows them to live underwater. Argyroneta aquatica, a 10-millimeter-long spider, can stay underwater for up to 24 hours. During this time, the spider brings back a bubble of air from the surface.
Hemolymph tubes, long tubes that run through the body, are another way of transporting oxygen. They vary in size depending on the family of spider. The hemolymph is colored with copper atoms. It works similar to hemoglobin, carrying oxygen and carbon dioxide. However, it is protein-rich, and carries more oxygen than carbon dioxide.
Another method of respiration for spiders is called passive diffusion. In this process, the spider’s tracheae diffuse the gases into the blood. This method is used by most arachnids, and it is a simpler system than the tracheae used by mammals.
If the atmosphere contains a high concentration of nitrogen, the spiders can’t take in as much oxygen as they need. But, if the atmosphere has a low concentration of oxygen, the spiders can breathe more easily.
