Fish breathe using their gills.
Understanding Fish Respiration
Fish, unlike land animals, extract oxygen from water. This process is made possible by specialized organs called gills. Located on either side of the pharynx (throat), gills are highly efficient at extracting dissolved oxygen from the water. Most fish have gills protected by bony flaps called opercula.
How Gills Work
- Water flows over the gills, allowing for oxygen absorption.
- Oxygen diffuses from the water into the blood vessels within the gills.
- Simultaneously, carbon dioxide, a waste product of respiration, diffuses from the blood into the water.
The efficiency of this gas exchange is remarkable, enabling fish to thrive in diverse aquatic environments. The structure of the gills, with their extensive surface area, maximizes contact with water and facilitates efficient oxygen uptake.
Types of Gills
While most fish use gills for respiration, there's some diversity in gill structure and function across different fish species.
The reference material states that most fish use gills located under gill covers (operculum) on either side of the pharynx (throat) to exchange gases.
