Do Spiders....

[Angelina27]

.....Have lungs??

It's random, but my mate asked me the other day - I couldn't stop laughing, but I did actually wonder if they do have lungs after she said it hahaha!

Anyone know? :-)

[4getmenot]

The breathing system of spider is different from ours. There are two separate systems involved, book lungs and tracheae. The book lungs are assumed to be the first respiratory system evolved which is later replaced by the tracheae.
A book lung consists of a stack of plates. Blood flows through these plates and the gas is exchanged. The gases pass in and out by a diffusion process and it therefore not very efficient. In more active spiders tracheae replace part of the book lung or the whole book lung. The tracheae are tubes that do not branch but run from the opening on the outside directly into the tissues and organs.



*Copied by me of some page I found through google* before anyone thinks I'm a genious. :-) Although I am

[andy-hughes]

No, their structure is far too primitive to enjoy the luxury of a pair of lungs, as we understand the term.

http://www.xs4all.nl/~ednieuw/Spiders/Info/spi derinfo.htm

This will tell you all you need to know about how our hairy friends function.

[andy-hughes]

Sorry forgetmenot - we cross-posted, I didn't mean to undermine your genius - wonderful though it certainly is!

[4getmenot]

I know, what what what. :-)

[gravthedog]

A bit of a stoner question really (were you stoned) but to actually persue it and find out is somewhat redeeming. Well done

[Angelina27]

Thanks for all your amazing answers!

And in answer to you Mr Gravthedog - no, no drugs involved, drugs are bad M'kay. I was just having a silly moment with my friend - as we often do!