In cockroach mouth part consists of a labrum, a pair of mandibles, a pair of maxillae and a labium. Labrum and labium act as -

Options

A. Upper and lower jaws respectively
B. Lower and upper jaws respectively
C. Upper jaw and lips respectively
D. Upper and lower lips respectively

Answer

To answer the question regarding the functions of the labrum and labium in the mouthparts of a cockroach, we can break down the solution into the following steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Mouthparts**: The mouthparts of a cockroach consist of several components: a labrum (upper lip), a pair of mandibles (jaws), a pair of maxillae (side mouthparts), and a labium (lower lip).

2. **Define the Labrum and Labium**:
- The **labrum** is the upper lip that helps in holding food in place and aids in the initial processing of food.
- The **labium** is the lower lip that also assists in manipulating food and can help in the formation of a food bolus.

3. **Function of the Mouthparts**: The mouthparts of the cockroach are classified as **biting and chewing types**. This means they are adapted for grasping, biting, and chewing food.

4. **Role of Labrum and Labium**:
- The **labrum** acts as a barrier that holds food in the mouth and supports the mandibles during the chewing process.
- The **labium** aids in the manipulation of food and also helps in the final stages of chewing and swallowing.

5. **Conclusion**: Therefore, both the labrum and labium play crucial roles in the feeding mechanism of the cockroach, facilitating the biting and chewing of food.

### Final Answer:
The labrum and labium in a cockroach act as structures that assist in the biting and chewing of food.

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