Diving, Physiology, Diet Foraging Flashcards
What is one central feature of sea turtles’ diving abilities?
Efficient oxygen transport system.
How are sea turtle limbs modified for diving?
They are modified into hydrofoils.
What happens to nasal passages upon diving?
They close.
What is the effect of hypoxia on sea turtles?
They have a high tolerance for hypoxia, allowing maximal use of limited oxygen stores.
What is intermittent breathing in sea turtles?
Breathing patterns that vary throughout the dive cycle.
What adaptations do sea turtles have for their circulatory system?
They have a higher oxygen-carrying capacity in their blood.
What is one of the respiratory adaptations observed in sea turtles?
Larger normal tidal volume (VT).
How does the heart rate of sea turtles change during diving?
The heart rate decreases upon diving and stabilizes mid-dive, increasing during ascent.
What is the primary oxygen store for deep-diving leatherback sea turtles?
Blood tissues, primarily.
What mechanism helps sea turtles flush metabolites during recovery from a dive?
Cardiac response restores blood flow to peripheral tissues.
How does the respiratory system of sea turtles adapt to pressure changes during diving?
Non-respiratory tissue prevents lung gases from becoming trapped.
What happens to sea turtles’ metabolism during dives?
They can adjust their metabolism based on oxygen availability.
What is anaerobic metabolism?
Metabolism that occurs without oxygen, often leading to lactate accumulation.
How does aerobic metabolism compare to anaerobic metabolism in efficiency?
Aerobic metabolism is 19 times more efficient than anaerobic.
What is the Aerobic Dive Limit (ADL)?
The maximum amount of time an animal can remain submerged without increasing blood lactate levels.
How does dive duration relate to sea turtle size?
Larger oxygen stores in bigger animals allow for longer dives.
What is the tidal volume of a healthy adult human compared to sea turtles?
A healthy adult human’s tidal volume is approximately 500 mL, while sea turtles can have varied tidal volumes based on species.
What adaptations do leatherback sea turtles have in their respiratory system?
They have thicker muscular areas in their pulmonary artery to manage pressures.
What depth can the female leatherback turtle dive to?
Over 1000 meters (approximately 3,280 feet).
Which sea turtle species spends most time submerged?
Dermochelys species (leatherback sea turtles) spend 80-96% of their time submerged.
How do green sea turtles alter their diet as they grow?
Young green sea turtles are omnivorous, primarily feeding on invertebrates, and later shift to an herbivorous diet.
What physiological behavior do leatherbacks exhibit during their internesting period?
They spend 57-68% of the time submerged in the sea.
What role does the diaphragm play in sea turtles’ respiration?
It assists in the active ventilation of the lungs.
What is a common movement pattern observed in many marine organisms, including sea turtles?
Diel vertical migration (DVM).
Which diving species generally relies heavily on blood oxygen stores?
Oceanic species like leatherback sea turtles.
What is the respiratory rate comparison between leatherbacks and green turtles?
Leatherbacks have a documented respiratory rate 22% lower than active green turtles.
What significant factor drives the Diel Vertical Migration observed in leatherback turtles?
The movement of gelatinous zooplankton in the water column.
What happens to the blood lactic acid levels during prolonged dives?
Blood lactic acid levels slowly increase initially and spike upon emergence from the dive.
What adaptation aids sea turtles in gas exchange at greater depths?
A greater surface area in their lungs facilitates gas exchange.
How do sea turtles manage gas exchange pressures when diving?
They use structural adaptations in their airways to prevent collapse under hydrostatic pressure.
Why is the cardiovascular system important for diving sea turtles?
It regulates blood flow and oxygen delivery during dives.
How does a decrease in blood pH affect hemoglobin’s oxygen binding affinity?
It leads to hemoglobin releasing its load of oxygen.
What factor may limit the duration of a dive in sea turtles?
The metabolic rate and the amount of oxygen stored in lungs and tissues.
How do Chelonid species primarily manage oxygen storage during a dive?
By utilizing lung oxygen as the primary storage site.
Which sea turtle has the shortest routine dives recorded?
Dermochelys coriacea, the leatherback sea turtle.
What influences the dive patterns of flippers in sea turtles?
The adaptation of limbs for effective movement in water.
What behavioral adaptation occurs in openly pelagic loggerhead hatchlings?
They forage in open water, primarily in Sargassum.
What effect does increased diving pressure have on the respiratory gas exchange surfaces?
It helps maintain efficient gas exchange during surfacing.
How long can leatherback sea turtles remain submerged under forced conditions?
Up to 5 hours at low temperatures (18-23°C).
How can sea turtles eliminate CO2 accumulated from a previous dive?
By venting it upon surfacing to reload oxygen stores.
What is the physiological adjustment in sea turtles’ circulatory system while diving?
Decreased heart rates to conserve oxygen stores.
Which marine animals display similar respiratory adaptations to leatherback sea turtles?
Mammalian divers like seals and whales.
How do sea turtles manage oxygen during lengthy dives?
Through a combination of aerobic and anaerobic metabolism depending on the duration of the dive.
What is the primary diet of Dermochelys coriacea?
Scyphozoan jellyfishes and some holoplanktonic organisms.
What is the difference in how Cheloniid and Dermochelyid species use lung oxygen?
Cheloniids primarily use lungs for oxygen storage, while Dermochelyids rely more on blood oxygen storage.
What adaptation do sea turtles have for gas exchange while swimming at high speeds?
Increased ventilatory frequency and support providing mechanical reinforcement for airflow.
Why do leatherback turtles exhibit a high tidal volume?
To accommodate for their increased metabolic needs during active diving.
How do changing blood flow patterns affect diving performance?
They help conserve oxygen stores for critical metabolic functions during a dive.
