Gas Exchange: Fish

Question 1

Explain the process of gas exchange in fish

Answer 1

Buccal cavity volume increased to enable water to flow in reduced to increase

Water is pumped over the gill plates by the operculum, oxygen diffuses into the blood stream

Waste carbon dioxide diffuses into the water and flows back out of the gills

Question 2

What is the point of the counter current

Answer 2

Maintains concentration gradient

Question 3

When a fish opens its mouth what happens to the buccal cavity?

Answer 3

volume increases, pressure decreases

Question 4

What happens when water enters the gill cavity?

Answer 4

Pressure builds up causing the operculum to be forced open

Question 5

Large Surface Area

Answer 5

Long filaments

Gill plates

Question 6

Thin Layers

Answer 6

Epithelial cells which make up gills are 1 layer thick and flattened

Question 7

Large Blood Supply

Answer 7

Central column contains a bone called a gill arch and 2 blood vessels

Each gill plate has its own capillary network

Question 8

Efferent Vessel

Answer 8

Oxygenated blood away from gill