Adaptations of vertebrates to gas exchange on land
- Created by: Emily Cartwright
- Created on: 28-05-14 09:16
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- Adaptations of vertebrates to gas exchange on land
- Terrestrial vertebrates are large animals and therefore the surface of their skin is insufficient to act as a gas exchange surface
- The gas exchange medium is air and they have evolved internal lungs for gas exchange. These provide a large surface are and reduce water loss as they are inside the body cavity
- Amphibians
- e.g. Frogs, Toads and Newts
- Typically live in moist environments as they require water for fertilisation
- The larvae live in the water and have gills
- The transition from larvae to adult frog involves changes in the body form (metamorphosis)
- The larvae live in the water and have gills
- Typically live in moist environments as they require water for fertilisation
- When inactive, the adult frog can use the moist skin as a respiratory surface and it provides enough oxygen to satisfy it's needs
- When active, the adult frog uses lungs as it's respiratory surface. Frogs also use the buccal cavity as a gas exchange surface
- e.g. Frogs, Toads and Newts
- Reptiles
- e.g. Crocodiles, Snakes and Lizards
- Their lungs have a more complex internal structure than that of amphibians with ribs assisting in ventilation of the lungs
- In-growth of tissue increases the surface area for gas exchange
- Their lungs have a more complex internal structure than that of amphibians with ribs assisting in ventilation of the lungs
- e.g. Crocodiles, Snakes and Lizards
- Birds
- The lungs of birds have an internal structure similar to that of mammals
- However, large volumes of oxygen are needed to provide the energy for flight
- Ventilation of the lungs in birds is far more efficient than in other vertebrates and is assisted by a system of air sacs
- Although no gas exchange takes place in the air sacs, their arrangement increases the efficiency of lung ventilation by acting as bellows
- Ventilation is also assisted by the movement of the ribs
- Birds are warm blooded, so require a high rate of metabolism to maintain body temperature
- Ventilation is also assisted by the movement of the ribs
- Although no gas exchange takes place in the air sacs, their arrangement increases the efficiency of lung ventilation by acting as bellows
- Ventilation of the lungs in birds is far more efficient than in other vertebrates and is assisted by a system of air sacs
- However, large volumes of oxygen are needed to provide the energy for flight
- The lungs of birds have an internal structure similar to that of mammals
- Terrestrial vertebrates are large animals and therefore the surface of their skin is insufficient to act as a gas exchange surface
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