Gills are a respiratory organ found in many aquatic organisms.
Function of Gills
Gills facilitate the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between an aquatic organism and its surrounding water. This process is essential for respiration, allowing the organism to obtain oxygen for energy production and eliminate carbon dioxide, a waste product.
Organisms with Gills
Gills are found in a wide variety of aquatic animals, including:
- Worms
- Mollusks (e.g., clams, snails)
- Crustaceans (e.g., crabs, shrimp)
- Insect larvae
- Fish
- Some amphibians
How Gills Work
Gills typically consist of thin filaments or plates with a large surface area. Water flows over these surfaces, allowing oxygen to diffuse from the water into the blood and carbon dioxide to diffuse from the blood into the water. The efficient exchange is due to the large surface area and close proximity of blood vessels to the gill surface.
