Mechanisms of Air Breathing

Question 1

What % of air do European eels obtain through their skin?

Answer 1

• 10-40%

Question 2

What % of air do mudskippers obtain through their skin?

Answer 2

• 36-76%

Question 3

What % of air do swamp eels obtain through their skin?

Answer 3

• 31-94%

Question 4

How/why do fish breathe through their mouth?

Answer 4

• well vascularized buccal cavity
• large SA due to papillae/folds
• reduced gills retain ability to shed CO2 (stil important)

Question 5

Give examples of mouth-breathers

Answer 5

• electric eels
• climbing perch

Question 6

How do fish breathe with their gut?

Answer 6

• swallow air
• O2 delivery in specialized gut regions
• CO2 excreted via gills

Question 7

What are 3 adaptations for gut breathers? what do they do?

Answer 7

• intraepithelial capillaries (blood supply)
• Reduced gastric glands (lowers digestion)
• Surfactant secreting cells (dec. surface tension and diffusion distance)