The Larva of the Buzzer Midge Can Live Without Oxygen

Function

The larva of the buzzer midge inhabit places where almost no oxygen exists, such as the mud at the bottom of lakes and ponds. The larva is able to use its tracheal gills, similar to the gills of a fish, to take in dissolved oxygen from the water and store it inside its body. Hemoglobin pigment in the blood easily adheres to oxygen, making it possible for the larva to store oxygen inside its own body. This makes it possible for a larva to live for up to 9 minutes solely on its stored oxygen when oxygen from the environment is insufficient.

Functional Classification

Resouce/Energy/Information Collection & Storage:
Oxygen supply
Transfer/Dispose/Circulate:
Removal
Form/Organization/System:
Environmental improvement

Environmental Solution Classification

Related Literature

Technical Application

Products and Services

Type of Business

Proposals of Applied Technology

The workings of hemoglobin can be used for the development of materials that gather and store various types of substances. They also can be used to develop technologies for the conveyance, distribution, and saving of information.

Proposals of Applied Industry

Related Life Style