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Threadkiller
03-13-2003, 09:50 AM
Question:

In the Do insects have circulatory systems like other creatures? (http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mbugheart.html) article dated 13-Mar-2003 the question starts:As with most of your readers, I have a bet going with a good friend about insect circulatory systems...I can, of course, only speak for myself, but how may of you have a running bet with a good friend about the circulatory system of insects?
kaylasdad99
03-13-2003, 10:21 AM
Well, I don't actually HAVE any good friends (I used to have one, but we parted ways after getting into a heated argument about the chemical composition of squid ink -- [Hey! Maybe if we had settled it with a bet, we'd still be friends!]), but I DO have a bet going with a casual acquaintance about insect circulatory systems. But since it's not a good friend, I don't quite meet your criteria.

Although I suppose this COULD bring us closer together.
kjkolb
03-13-2003, 12:43 PM
Nope, I don't have any bets like that. However, here's a Scientific American article about how insects breathe.

http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?articleID=00083146-7E13-1E30-8B3B809EC588EEDF
Biffy the Elephant Shrew
03-13-2003, 12:44 PM
Originally posted by SDSTAFF Doug

Nearly all non-aquatic insects deliver oxygen to their cells (and remove CO2) through micro-tubules called "tracheoles" that join up to larger passages connecting to openings ("spiracles") in their body wall.

This, of course, inspired (snork!) that big Jefferson Starship hit:

"If only you could breathe
Like flies can breathe, baby
Through spiracles
We'd get by..."
Saltire
03-13-2003, 08:51 PM
Originally posted by Biffy the Elephant Shrew
This, of course, inspired (snork!) that big Jefferson Starship hit:

"If only you could breathe
Like flies can breathe, baby
Through spiracles
We'd get by..." It's posters like you, and posts like that, my friend, that bring me back to the SDMB every day. Where else can you get jokes with the word "spiracles" in them, I ask you? And even if you can find the jokes, this is the best place to find people who will actually laugh at them. I hope you stick around.