Arthropods (Grasshopper)
Perch Dissection Pre-AP Biology April 9, 2014 - Vu 3rd
Melanoplus differentialis
The Grasshopper, or Melanoplus differentialis (common grasshopper), is classified in the phylum Anthropoda. Grasshoppers, like all insects, have a three part body of a head, thorax, and abdomen. They also have compound eyes like other insects. However, their legs and wings set them apart from others because of the jumping legs as well as walking legs that they use and the layer of wings they use to fly. Their segmented bodies are made up of a hard exoskeleton of tagmata.
Objectives
In this presentation about grasshoppers, you will learn about their external and internal anatomy as well as their organs and functions. You will also learn about the grasshoppers complex respiratory system and how it works.
Grasshopper Life Cycle
In early summer, the male grasshopper deposits spermatophore that contains sperm into the ovipositor of the female. The sperm then reaches the egg via the micropyle and fertilization occurs. When the baby grasshoppers hatch, the cycle repeats and life continues.
Habitat
Grasshoppers are found world wide in dry, grassy areas though some grasshoppers live in jungles or forests. There are over 10,000 species of grasshoppers known so it varies from what part of the world they are in.
Predators
Grasshoppers are prey to many creatures, such as the Grasshopper Sparrow bird. Others, such as lizards, frogs, toads, and snakes eat grasshoppers as well.
Evolutionary Relationships of a Grasshopper
Grasshopper Dissection - tutorial
Grasshopper Anatomy Part 1
External Anatomy
Thorax, antennae, abdomen, spiracles, ovl poltar, posterior wing, anterior wing.
Internal Anatomy
brain, aorta, crop, heart, rectum, intestine, stomach, nerve ganglion, gastric ceca, salivary gland, mouth
Respiratory System
cephalls air sacs, thoracic air sacs, thoracic spiracles, abdominal spiracle, abdominal air sacs, dorsal tracheal trunk, Ventral tracheal trunk, lateral tracheal trunk
Respiratory System
The exchange of gases in a grasshopper happen through the tracheal system but begins at the spiracles where air is taken in first. This system contains of ten spiracles located in the abdominal area and the others are thoracic. Oxygen diffuses into cells directly into the atmosphere and that completes the grasshoppers process of respiration. The air sacs that the tracheal system works to create can be compared to human alveoli because it stores carbon dioxide and oxygen when the respiration is taking place. However, we take air in from our mouths and nose while their spiracles do that with the control of their brains. A few of the spiracles are involved in the expiration of air as well. The human tracheae performs the role of cleaning air while the grasshoppers tracheal system works as an independent function not involving the circulatory system.
Works Cited
http://www.tutorvista.com/content/biology/biology-ii/respiration/grasshopper-gaseous-exchange.php
http://www.biologyjunction.com/grasshopper_dissection.htm
http://www.amnh.org/learn/biodiversity_counts/ident_help/Parts_Arthropods/grasshopper.htm
http://www.animalcorner.co.uk/insects/grasshoppers/grasshopper_anatomy.html