Non mammalian respiration

Question 1

How are fish anaesthetised and what anatomical structures does the anaesthetic agent pass through

Answer 1

Fish are immersed in a bath containing the anaesthetic so the drug can be absorbed through the gills & rapidly enter blood stream

Operculum, gill arch, blood vessels

Question 2

What body functions are affected in fish but not other mammals during lung disease or damage

Answer 2

In the fish excretion, osmoregulation & pH regulation will also be affected as these are also controlled by the gills

Question 3

Why would a bird or reptile with a coelomic mass or fluid accumulation in the coelomic cavity, present with laboured/troubled breathing?

Answer 3

Reptiles don’t have a diaprhagm so a mass or fluid in the coelomic cavity would put pressure on the lungs and result in laboured breathing

Question 4

What anatomical adaptation do snakes have to allow them to breathe whilst swallowing very large prey?

Answer 4

Snakes can more their glottis to the side so that it can still open & continue letting air in while the snake is eating

Question 5

Why do tortoises sometimes more their limbs while breathing

Answer 5

Move their limbs to create more room & change pressure in coelomic cavity

Question 6

Where should you place a stethoscope when assessing avian lungs

Answer 6

Stethoscope should be placed on their back as this is where the lungs adhere to the body wall and sounds are the loudest.

You should be careful when handling birds as they don’t have a diapraghm and their ribs need room to expand to let air into the body. If held to tightly they cant breathe and die.