Do Bugs Have Hearts? How Are They Different From A Human's?
Gallery
Like the human body is organized into organs, tissues, and cells, insects have quite similar anatomy and physiology to that of a human being.
According to science, humans and insects are classified as different species of animals; thus, they are obviously have similarities as well as differences. Read on to explore more about the science of wildlife creatures, how they are similar, and how they differ.
The circulatory system varies between humans and insects, while insects have an open circulatory system with blood-like fluid plasma called hemolymph flowing through the body cavity, humans have a closed circulatory system having vertebrate blood flowing through blood vessels, veins, and arteries.
Hemolymph is the insect's blood, made up of only 10% blood cells while the other 90% comprises plasma, which contains amino acids, carbohydrates, ions, fats or lipids, hormones, and pigments that are rarely colored.
In contrast, vertebrate blood contains red blood cells and because of the presence of red blood cells, the human blood is red, whereas the insect's blood is yellow or green.
Likewise, insects do have heart, but an insect's heart does not have chambers like human hearts.
Also, human hearts, which is almost the size of a fist, is several times larger than an insect's body size.
Not just the heart, but several of our organs exceed the size of an insect's body.
Do you wonder how such large organs can fit into an insect? While insects have a heart, it does not mean that it has a heart just like you.
An insect's heart has quite different internal structure and functions; neither does it have chambers nor does it pump blood through blood vessels, veins, or arteries, since insect blood flows throughout the body cavity, unlike vertebrates.
If you enjoy this article, why not also read about why do bugs like light and bedbug size here on Kidadl.
Do bugs have a heart and brain?
In the same way you have a heart and a brain, insects are speculated to have anatomy and physiology similar to yours. While you can study the external organs of insects like the head, wings, legs, and antennae, you cannot study the internally attached organs of insects just by looking at them.
Study the insect anatomically and pathologically, you will find insects have a tube-like heart called a dorsal vessel. Similarly, they also have a tiny-sized brain in their heads.
Where are bugs hearts?
Where do you feel your heart beating? Here is a hint! Feel around your chest. You will find your heart beating in the left corner of your chest.
As a backbone runs along the body from head to bottom in a vertebrate, the heart of insects is a tube-like structure found in the abdomen section.
What does the insect heart look like?
No, the insect heart does not resemble yours. Neither do insects have a circulatory system similar to yours, nor does it have the same blood that flows throughout its body.
While insects have an open circulatory system, yours is a closed circulatory system. Likewise, the insect heart is the dorsal vessel, whereas your heart has four chambers, largely made up of muscle tissues.
Your heart is placed in the left corner of your chest, whereas an insect heart has muscles, and Ostia is placed in its abdomen section. Ostia is the opening known to control the exit and entry of fluid-like hemolymph flowing throughout the body cavity. Hemolymph is the blood-like fluid that controls and transports oxygen, hormones, nutrients, and wastes.
Are you looking for a precise answer? An insect heart is a tube, like a vertebrate backbone, contracting and relaxing continuously.
What is the heart rate of an insect?
Although you and your body may rest when tired, did you know your heart and brain never rest? Yes, neither does the brain rest, nor does the heart.
While the heart pumps continuously to transport oxygen and other nutrients throughout the body, the brain never sleeps and is known to control the essential functioning of the body, even when you sleep.
Do you know what your normal heartbeat is? Count your pulse to compute your heartbeat! For children from ages 6-15 years, 70-100 heartbeats per minute are the normal heart rate, whereas 60-100 heartbeats per minute are the average heart rate for adults over the age of 18 years.
On the other hand, while the insect is not known to have a heart and rather has a dorsal vessel, the heartbeat of an insect varies from species. The average heart rate ranges from 30-200 beats per minute.
Can an insect have a heart attack?
What if you are asked, 'Can you lose your wings'? Sounds weird, right?
If you don't have wings, how can you lose them? Similarly, if insects do not have a heart but rather a similar structure, how can they have a heart attack?
Thus, heart attacks are primarily dealt with by humans and other vertebrates having similar internal organs and structures. A heart attack is caused when body fat builds up in the aorta or other muscles and hinders the movement of oxygenated blood to reach the heart muscle and leads to decreasing blood pressure.
Although the circulatory system varies in vertebrates and invertebrates, both species have blood and a heart. While the heart is the main organ of the human circulatory system, the dorsal vessel is the major structural organ of an insect's circulatory system.
The dorsal vessel is considered the insect's heart.
When it is said that an insect does not have a heart attack or any heart disease, do not misinterpret it by assuming that insects are not vulnerable to diseases. Bugs or insects suffer from infections caused by viral, parasitoid, fungal, and bacterial pathogens infecting their circulatory system.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for do bugs have hearts, then why not take a look at where do stink bugs come from, or stink bug facts?
Facts
We Want Your Photos!
More for You
See All
Bachelor of Arts specializing in Economics
Gurpuneet KaurBachelor of Arts specializing in Economics
As a skilled content writer, Gurpuneet has written and managed engaging content for multiple websites and companies. Driven by a passion for helping young people achieve their full potential, she brings a unique perspective to her work. She is currently pursuing a degree in Economics from Sri Guru Gobind Singh College Of Commerce. With extensive experience as a tutor, Gurpuneet has made a significant impact by providing guidance and academic support to students. Her dedication extends beyond tutoring as she has volunteered with Action India, where she offered medical assistance and educational aid to underprivileged communities. Additionally, Gurpuneet has contributed to the creation of student study guides for various educational agencies.
Bachelor of Arts specializing in English
Shruti ThapaBachelor of Arts specializing in English
With a passion for American, British, and children's literature, Shruti is currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree at Garden City University, Bengaluru. Her fluency in Nepali, Hindi, and Mandarin demonstrates her linguistic abilities and global perspective. In addition to her literary pursuits, she has a keen interest in non-fiction literature, aesthetics, early childhood education, and Egyptian history. Shruti's research paper 'Bringing Art Illustrations In Education And Pop Culture' showcases her proficiency in these areas and her dedication to academic excellence.
Disclaimer
1) Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising. We hope you love our recommendations for products and services! What we suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team. If you purchase using the Buy Now button we may earn a small commission. This does not influence our choices. Prices are correct and items are available at the time the article was published but we cannot guarantee that on the time of reading. Please note that Kidadl is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. We also link to other websites, but are not responsible for their content.
2) At Kidadl, we strive to recommend the very best activities and events. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability. Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
3) Because we are an educational resource, we have quotes and facts about a range of historical and modern figures. We do not endorse the actions of or rhetoric of all the people included in these collections, but we think they are important for growing minds to learn about under the guidance of parents or guardians.