Campbell Biology (10th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321775651
ISBN 13: 978-0-32177-565-8

Chapter 42 - Test Your Understanding - Level 3 - Synthesis/Evaluation - Page 945: 9

Answer

Insect respiration is inefficient and may be unable to support a very large organism.

Work Step by Step

There are some competing theories about insect size and gas exchange, especially around how and why giant insects are no longer seen. The oxygen concentration of earth’s atmosphere has fallen over time, and it’s possible that only the higher oxygen levels of a prehistoric earth could sustain the very large insects seen in the fossil record.
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