Reproduction System Of Cockroach
The cockroach reproductive system shows clear sexual dimorphism: males have testes and phallic organs, while females possess ovaries and a genital pouch. Their lifecycle involves multiple nymph moults and high reproductive capacity, ensuring survival across environments. Understanding this system is important from Class 9 to NEET level, as it highlights key aspects of insect biology and ecological significance.
This Story also Contains
- Sexual Dimorphism in Cockroach
- Male Reproductive System Of Cockroach
- Female Reproductive System In Cockroach
- Reproductive Process Of Cockroaches
- Lifecycle of Cockroach
- Adaptation and Survival Strategies
- Cockroach Reproductive System NEET MCQs (With Answers & Explanations)
Sexual Dimorphism in Cockroach
Their reproductive system is typical for males and females and is adapted for the most effective reproduction.
External morphology shows significant sexual dimorphism, with males having more elongated and slender abdomens, while females have wider abdomens.
Cockroaches have a segmented body broken down into the head, thorax, and abdomen.
Males have styles in the ninth segment while females lack styles but have broader and more rounded abdomens.
Males and females are distinguished by their abdominal structures and also by the presence of styles in males.
Females have a more prominent genital pouch for carrying and nourishing eggs.
Male Reproductive System Of Cockroach
The male reproductive system of cockroaches is a specially designed body system to produce, store and deliver sperm.
Testes: It is a paired organ which is responsible for producing sperms
Vas deferens: Sperm is carried from the testis through these tubes to the ejaculatory duct.
Ejaculatory duct: This is the passage via which sperm is excreted out during copulation.
Accessory glands: These glands produce seminal fluid, which acts as a nourishing and protective medium for sperm.
Phallic organs: These organs are concerned with the transfer of sperm to the female during mating.
Female Reproductive System In Cockroach
The female reproductive system of cockroaches is specialised to produce eggs, fertilisation, and subsequent embryonic development.
Ovaries: These are paired organs found in females that produce ova or eggs.
Oviducts: They are tubes that carry eggs from the ovaries to the genital pouch.
Spermatheca: Stores sperm received during mating for later fertilisation of eggs.
Genital pouch: Contains the ootheca and protects developing eggs.
Accessory glands: Produce substances for ootheca formation and for the protection of eggs.
Reproductive Process Of Cockroaches
Their reproductive process consists of steps of mating, fertilisation, laying eggs, and embryonic development.
Mating and Fertilisation
Males transfer sperm into females during mating with the help of their phallic organs.
The female stores the sperm in the spermatheca, and fertilisation of the eggs happens over some time.
Egg Laying and Ootheca Formation
The female forms a protective casing around the eggs called the ootheca.
The eggs develop inside the ootheca, where they undergo various development stages until hatching.
Embryonic Development
Embryos progress through a series of development stages inside the egg.
The development process is affected by temperature, humidity, and environmental conditions.
Lifecycle of Cockroach
A cockroach lifecycle involves nymph and adult stages, with factors of the environment influencing reproductive cycles.
Immature cockroaches, or nymphs, undergo multiple moults until reaching adulthood.
Nymphs molt five to seven times during development. The nymph sheds its exoskeleton in a process called moulting as the insect grows.
Mature cockroaches are sexually mature and capable of reproduction.
Cockroach reproduction may vary according to seasons, with a spike during warmer months.
Temperature, humidity, and food availability have a huge effect on reproductive cycles.
Adaptation and Survival Strategies
Cockroaches are adapted to different kinds of habitats through their different reproductive and survival strategies.
Reproductive Adaptation
High reproductive fecundity: Large number of offspring produced by the females. This increases the survival rate by increasing the population.
High reproductive rate: These cycles are short. This allows them to increase in population very fast.
Survival Strategy
Resistance to environmental changes: The cockroaches can withstand a wide range of environmental changes.
Mechanisms to protect eggs: Ootheca provides a protective environment to the developing eggs.
Cockroach Reproductive System NEET MCQs (With Answers & Explanations)
This topic carries a significant weightage in NEET exam. Important topics to be covered are:
Sexual Dimorphism
Male Reproductive System
Female Reproductive System
Practice Questions for NEET
Q1. The pair of testes of the cockroach is located in
10th - 11th segment of abdomen.
4th - 6th segment of thorax
4th - 6th segment of abdomen
None of these
Correct answer: 3) 4th - 6th segment of abdomen
Explanation:
Location of Cockroach Testes:
Cockroach testes are found in the 4th to 6th abdominal segments of males, containing reproductive organs.
Structure:
Testes are paired, long, tubular organs in the male cockroach's abdomen, extending from the 4th to 6th segment. They consist of sperm-producing tubules known as testicular follicles.
Function:
Testes' main role is spermatogenesis, where sperm are formed within these follicles. The sperm then moves to seminal vesicles for storage before being transferred to the vas deferens during mating.
Hence, the correct answer is option 3) the 4th - 6th segment of the abdomen.
Q2. The ovaries are located in ____ of the cockroach.
2nd – 6th abdominal segments
2nd – 6th thoracic segments.
2nd – 6th head segments
None of the these
Correct answer: 1) 2nd – 6th abdominal segments
Explanation:
The ovaries of a cockroach are found in abdominal segments 2-6.
In a female cockroach's anatomy, the ovaries are paired and elongated, resembling sacs within the abdominal cavity. They consist of ovarioles, which are tubular and responsible for ova development. Ova formed here moves through the oviducts to the genital chamber for egg-laying.
Hence, the correct answer is option 1) 2nd – 6th abdominal segments.
Q3. In which of the following organism is the conglobate gland present?
Female cockroach
Earthworm
Male Cockroach
Honey bee
Correct answer: 3) Male cockroach
Explanation:
The conglobate gland is a specialized gland found in certain insects, including cockroaches. It is specifically present in the male cockroach. The conglobate gland in male cockroaches produces a secretion that is involved in the process of spermatophore formation. A spermatophore is a package containing sperm that is transferred from the male to the female during mating.
Hence, the correct answer is option 3) Male cockroach
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Spermatheca stores the sperm obtained at mating, thus permitting fertilisation of the eggs for some time without a second mating.
Cockroaches are also highly fecund and have high reproductive rates, and they are further resistant to environmental changes, having mechanisms for protecting their eggs by forming oothecae.
The main parts include testes, vas deferens, ejaculatory ducts, accessory glands and phallic organs in males; and ovaries, oviducts, spermatheca, genital pouch, and accessory glands in females.
Males transfer sperm to females during copulation using their phallic organs which are stored in the spermatheca for later fertilisation.
The females lay an ootheca, a sort of protective case that contains several eggs, in some safe place for development.