Internal structure of ants


Ant's body is divided by functions. In the head are the main sensuous organs, as well as organs for preliminary treatment of food. The thorax is responsible for movement. In the abodomen are the genitals and organs for treatment of the food. Ants have defensive (attacking) organs on the head as well as on the abdomen. Due to their flexibility, they can use them synchronously.

  • Head:The interior of the head is mainly taken up by the muscles which control the mandibules. There is also the mouthful which the food, through the oesophagus, reaches the abdomen through. The ant has complex brain which is capable of remembering and learning. The brain is connected to glands which control the inner processes.
    Digestive and communicative glands can also be found in the head. A special gland separates food which can be used as energy reserve. The rest of the food, containing most of the proteins goes in the social stomach. Than it can be regurgirated to the larvae and the queen, which need much proteins (for growth and production of eggs).

  • Thorax:All motive organs of the ant, legs and wings (by the sexuals), are in the thorax. The thorax of a queen is much larger than this of a worker, because there are her wing muscles. After her nuptial flight and after she has got rid of her wings, these muscles become useless and get broken down. Eggs are formed out of the muscle tissues. The empty place which remains is filled with fats, which can be used as a reserve.
    The interchange of gases is completed through 3 holes on the back of the thorax. The organs of the ant are washed by blood, which is moved by the long, tubular heart, which begins in the head and ends in the abdomen. Blood plays no role in interchange of gases.

  • Abdomen:The social stomach is separated by the normal stomach. In the normal stomach the food is mixed with digestive liquids and can not be regurgirated. After being digested, the food rests get out through the anus. The genitals of the ant are in the abdomen too. The genitals of the queen the queen is looks like a tube. The egg gets born in its begining and starts growing. At the end it gets covered. Than it gets through the oviduct. There it can be fertilized by the stock of spermatozoons or be laid unfertilized.