Blood flows to different parts of the body as a result of the contraction and expansion of the heart and alary muscles of the grasshopper. Each chamber of the heart continuously contracts and expands like a wave to maintain normal blood flow. Blood circulation process is discussed.
Blood enters the pericardial sinuses from the perivisceral sinuses as a result of the contraction of the alary muscles. At this time, the chambers of the heart expand. As a result, blood from the pericardial sinus enters the cardiac cavity through the ostia. After filling with blood, the heart chambers contract. At this point the blood moves forward through the external ostia and enters the dorsal aorta. Blood enters the cerebral sinuses from the dorsal aorta. Blood then flows backward and enters the perivisceral sinuses and perineural sinuses. Blood circulates to different parts of the body through these two sinuses. At this time the blood enters the leg cavity from the perineural sinus and the wing from the pericardial sinus. Finally, the action of the alary muscles allows blood to flow from the perivisceral sinuses into the pericardial sinuses and repeat the cycle. Their heartbeat is 100-110 times per minute and it takes 30-60 minutes to circulate blood once in the body.