Gas Exchange in Fish

Question 1

Fick’s Law

Answer 1

Diffusion is proportional to:

Surface area x difference in concentration
————————————————————-
Length of diffusion path

Question 2

Large surface area to volume ratio

Answer 2

Created by many gill filaments covered in many gill lamealle

Question 3

Short diffusion distance

Answer 3

1) capillary network in every lamealle
2) very thin gill lamealle

Question 4

Maintaining concentration gradient

Answer 4

Countercurrent flow mechanism

Question 5

Concurrent Flow

Answer 5

If blood and water were flowing in the same direction. Water enters gills at 100% saturation with oxygen and blood enters gills at 0% ( there to become oxygenated).= rapid. Diffusion from 100% to 0% but would eventually reach equilibrium. All o2 will diffuse rapidly in and have 50% 50%. Diffusion wont occur across the entire gill lameallle

Question 6

Countercurrent Flow

Answer 6

When the water tat flows over the gills flows in the opposite direction to the blood flowing in the capillaries. Ensures equilibrium is not reached which means diffusion can occur across the entire length of the gill lamealle.