Respiration and Osmoregulation in Insects

小昆虫的表面积体积比大。由于身体水分的流失发生在整个被膜上，这样的比例会导致昆虫严重的水分流失。所有动物的主要失水部位是呼吸系统。昆虫通过它们的呼吸管道（气管）上的阀门（气门）来控制这种损失。布拉德利博士将研究果蝇的气门的作用，这些果蝇被挑选出来抵抗干燥。他的假设是，这些昆虫的呼吸模式将被高度改变以保存水分。这项研究将对昆虫的分布和生存以及通过破坏呼吸和水保护系统来控制害虫的昆虫生理学家和生态学家感兴趣。＊＊＊

9507435 Bradley Small insects have a large surface to volume ratio. Since the loss of body water occurs across the integument, such a ratio leads to severe water loss in insects. A major site of water loss in all animals is the respiratory system. Insects control this loss through the action of valves (spiracles) on their breathing tubes (tracheae). Dr. Bradley will study the action of the spiracles in fruit flies selected for resistance to desiccation. His hypothesis is that the respiratory pattern in these insects will be highly modified to conserve water. This study will be of interest to insect physiologists and ecologists interested in the distribution and survival of insects and in the control of insect pests by disruption of the respiratory and water conservation systems. ***