The heart is seen as a central nervous system that is solely responsible for pumping blood into the body of an organism. Every organism is akin to a heart except for a particular arthopod that boasts of about thirteen hearts necessary for its growth and sustenance. Let us know What Animal Has 13 Hearts?
However, the particular animal with a 13 heart is considered to have a neurogenic heart in which the initiation of a heartbeat is a result of a nerve signal. This fact-finding attempt explores the species with a neurogenic heart as well as its formation and relevance. Let Us Know How To
The Animal that has 13 hearts
A 13-heart animal otherwise called a neurogenic heart animal is uncommon. A cockroach, an arthropod, which is considered a unique creature is the only animal in the whole universe that boasts 13 hearts required for its adaptation and survival. The cockroach is also referred to as roach, with over 4000 species that belong to the Insecta class with a natural ability to occupy large space in a habitat. They are essentially nocturnal omnivores which means that they are more active at night or in the dark.
Classification of Cockroaches
Living organisms are classified in line with their kingdom, division (phylum), class, order, family, genus, and species. Hence, the classification of Cockroaches in this regard is centered on highlighting the grouping of roaches which includes:
- Kingdom: Cockroaches belong to the Animalia kingdom, which means that they are multicellular eukaryotes. They do not possess chlorophyll or cell walls which are only present in plants.
- Division: cockroach is classified as an Arthropod due to:
i. its jointed appendages
ii. The head is segmented by the symmetric body.
iii. The body has a chitinous exoskeleton around it.
iv. It has a tracheal system for respiration and excretes through Malpighian tubules.
- Class: Arthropods are mostly insects and hence belong to the Insecta class. Like other arthropods, the cockroach has an open circulatory system, segmented body, and advanced sensory receptors.
- Order: Cockroaches were first classified as orthopterous and consisted of crickets and grasshoppers. However, this classification has changed due to discoveries as they are now classified as Blattodea.
- Family: Like termites, Cockroaches belong to the order of Blattodea which has seven families namely:
i. Anaplectidae e.g Anaplecta hemiscotia
ii. Blaberidae e.g speckled cockroach
iii. Blattidae e.g American cockroach
iv. Corydiidae e.g sand cockroach
v. Cryptocercidae e.g wood roaches
vi. Ectobiidae e.g Asian cockroach
vii. Lampro Blattidae e.g
Nocticolidae
Tryonicidae
- Genus: The cockroach has over 900 genes. Each gene has chemical and olfactory receptors that help them navigate within their habitat.
- Species: Most species of cockroach are omnivorous. This means that they depend on plants, dead animals, and even glue which are predominantly found in tropical and sub-tropical regions.
Features of a Cockroach
A cockroach is identified with the following features:
- A well-developed compound eyes with long threadlike antennae for easy response to external stimuli.
- A shining blown or black leathery integument. Notwithstanding, there have been cases of red and bright yellow colored cockroaches in arid regions like Africa, Asia, and Southern and Northern America. These special kinds of Cockroaches range from 0.6 cm to 7.6cm.
- A respiratory opening on the sides of the abdomen and thorax for easy gas exchange and passage within its habitat.
- A sensory bristle on each leg for fast running and free movement.
- A jointed exoskeleton framework and a flattened body responsible for making it very easy to move quickly and fly easily.
The circulatory system of Cockroaches
The circulatory system of a cockroach begins with triangular alary muscles that connect with pointed tips in the body of a cockroach. Cockroaches do not have blood vessels for the transportation of blood. Instead, blood is present in a space of their body known as Haemoceol. It has an open circulatory system which makes the liver, heart, and stomach bathe in the Haemocoel. Its heart is just beyond the terga which has a narrow tube and an elongated contractile.
The heart consists of thirteen funnel-shaped chambers, with each chamber having valvular openings known as Ostia which aid the flow of blood from the pericardium to only the heart. However, blood cannot flow from the heart to the pericardium because the heart is closed from behind rather, it is anteriorly pumped into the sinuses. A larger part of the cavity is divided into three wide sinuses namely: the ventral diaphragm, the dorsal pericardial sinus which contains the heart, and the middle pericardial sinus which contain the guts.
The blood of a cockroach is also its lymph which is why it is often called Haemolymph, which does not take part in respiration but consists of a nucleated cell plasma referred to as Haemocyte. Organic compounds like amino acids, carbohydrates, and glucosidase are what are contained in the plasma. It also consists of other elements like calcium and potassium.
More so, findings into how the Haemocyte functions in a cockroach show that:
- It has a thin cytoplasm and a large nucleus with a small round cell.
- It has a large amoeba-like cells
- It has a black granule with some small nuclei which are instrumental for the continuous use of blood in its body.
Conclusion
There is no joy as overwhelming as when we get our knowledge thirst quenched and satisfied. And so, to say this study has in this regard uncovers a great depth of worthwhile information about cockroaches – the 13- hearts animal is no understatement. The classification of this anthropoid has been cautiously analyzed in line with verifiable facts.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- Is a cockroach an Insect?
The cockroach is an insect that belongs to the order of Blattodea and has six legs.
- Do cockroaches have heart attacks?
Cockroaches cannot have heart attacks because they have no veins and arteries that can be clogged. And then, the chambers of their heart is quite different from that of a homo sapien.
- How long do cockroaches live?
Cockroaches can live up to thirty weeks depending on their species. Their maximum lifespan is thirty weeks.
The heart is seen as a central nervous system that is solely responsible for pumping blood into the body of an organism. Every organism is akin to a heart except for a particular arthropod that boasts of about thirteen hearts necessary for its growth and sustenance.
However, the particular animal with a 13 heart is considered to have a neurogenic heart in which the initiation of a heartbeat is a result of a nerve signal. This fact-finding attempt explores the species with a neurogenic heart as well as its formation and relevance.
The Animal that has 13 hearts
A 13-heart animal otherwise called a neurogenic heart animal is uncommon. A cockroach, an arthropod, which is considered a unique creature is the only animal in the whole universe that boasts 13 hearts required for its adaptation and survival. The cockroach is also referred to as roach, with over 4000 species that belong to the Insecta class with a natural ability to occupy large space in a habitat. They are essentially nocturnal omnivores which means that they are more active at night or in the dark.
Classification of Cockroaches
Living organisms are classified in line with their kingdom, division (phylum), class, order, family, genus, and species. Hence, the classification of Cockroaches in this regard is centered on highlighting the grouping of roaches which includes:
- Kingdom: Cockroaches belong to the Animalia kingdom, which means that they are multicellular eukaryotes. They do not possess chlorophyll or cell walls which are only present in plants.
- Division: cockroach is classified as an Arthropod due to:
i. its jointed appendages
ii. The head is segmented by the symmetric body.
iii. The body has a chitinous exoskeleton around it.
iv. It has a tracheal system for respiration and excretes through Malpighian tubules.
- Class: Arthropods are mostly insects and hence belong to the Insecta class. Like other arthropods, the cockroach has an open circulatory system, segmented body, and advanced sensory receptors.
- Order: Cockroaches were first classified as orthopterous and consisted of crickets and grasshoppers. However, this classification has changed due to discoveries as they are now classified as Blattodea.
- Family: Like termites, Cockroaches belong to the order of Blattodea which has seven families namely:
i. Anaplectidae e.g Anaplecta hemiscotia
ii. Blaberidae e.g speckled cockroach
iii. Blattidae e.g American cockroach
iv. Corydiidae e.g sand cockroach
v. Cryptocercidae e.g wood roaches
vi. Ectobiidae e.g Asian cockroach
vii. Lampro Blattidae e.g
Nocticolidae
Tryonicidae
- Genus: The cockroach has over 900 genes. Each gene has chemical and olfactory receptors that help them navigate within their habitat.
- Species: Most species of cockroach are omnivorous. This means that they depend on plants, dead animals, and even glue which are predominantly found in tropical and sub-tropical regions.
Features of a Cockroach
A cockroach is identified with the following features:
- A well-developed compound eyes with long threadlike antennae for easy response to external stimuli.
- A shining blown or black leathery integument. Notwithstanding, there have been cases of red and bright yellow colored cockroaches in arid regions like Africa, Asia, and Southern and Northern America. These special kinds of Cockroaches range from 0.6 cm to 7.6cm.
- A respiratory opening on the sides of the abdomen and thorax for easy gas exchange and passage within its habitat.
- A sensory bristle on each leg for fast running and free movement.
- A jointed exoskeleton framework and a flattened body responsible for making it very easy to move quickly and fly easily.
The circulatory system of Cockroaches
The circulatory system of a cockroach begins with triangular alary muscles that connect with pointed tips in the body of a cockroach. Cockroaches do not have blood vessels for the transportation of blood. Instead, blood is present in a space of their body known as Haemoceol. It has an open circulatory system which makes the liver, heart, and stomach bathe in the Haemocoel. Its heart is just beyond the terga which has a narrow tube and an elongated contractile.
The heart consists of thirteen funnel-shaped chambers, with each chamber having valvular openings known as Ostia which aid the flow of blood from the pericardium to only the heart. However, blood cannot flow from the heart to the pericardium because the heart is closed from behind rather, it is anteriorly pumped into the sinuses. A larger part of the cavity is divided into three wide sinuses namely: the ventral diaphragm, the dorsal pericardial sinus which contains the heart, and the middle pericardial sinus which contain the guts.
The blood of a cockroach is also its lymph which is why it is often called Haemolymph, which does not take part in respiration but consists of a nucleated cell plasma referred to as Haemocyte. Organic compounds like amino acids, carbohydrates, and glucosidase are what are contained in the plasma. It also consists of other elements like calcium and potassium.
More so, findings into how the Haemocyte functions in a cockroach show that:
- It has a thin cytoplasm and a large nucleus with a small round cell.
- It has a large amoeba-like cells
- It has a black granule with some small nuclei which are instrumental for the continuous use of blood in its body.
Conclusion
There is no joy as overwhelming as when we get our knowledge thirst quenched and satisfied. And so, to say this study has in this regard uncovers a great depth of worthwhile information about cockroaches – the 13- hearts animal is no understatement. The classification of this anthropoid has been cautiously analyzed in line with verifiable facts.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- Is a cockroach an Insect?
The cockroach is an insect that belongs to the order of Blattodea and has six legs.
- Do cockroaches have heart attacks?
Cockroaches cannot have heart attacks because they have no veins and arteries that can be clogged. And then, the chambers of their heart is quite different from that of a homo sapien.
- How long do cockroaches live?
Cockroaches can live up to thirty weeks depending on their species. Their maximum lifespan is thirty weeks.
