What advantage over an aquatic organism does a terrestrial organism have with regards to obtaining oxygen for respiration ?

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Answer

The terrestrial organisms use the oxygen in the atmosphere while aquatic organisms use oxygen dissolved in water .

Since the amount of dissolved oxygen is fairly low as compared to the amount of oxygen in the air,therefore,the rate of breathing is much faster than that seen in terrestrial organisms..

The other advantage to terrestrial organisms is that,they have much easier access to obtain oxygen as the solubility of oxygen decreases with temperature which means aquatic organisms find difficulty in breathing during summers ...

Answer

What advantage over an aquatic organism does a terrestrial organism have with regards to obtaining oxygen for respiration?

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Answer

Advantages of Terrestrial Organisms over Aquatic Organisms in Obtaining Oxygen for Respiration

Terrestrial organisms, or those that live on land, have several advantages over aquatic organisms in obtaining oxygen for respiration. These advantages can be attributed to the differences in the availability and accessibility of oxygen in terrestrial and aquatic environments.

1. Greater Accessibility to Atmospheric Oxygen
- Terrestrial organisms have direct access to atmospheric oxygen, which is present in much higher concentrations compared to dissolved oxygen in water. This allows them to easily extract oxygen from the air for respiration.
- Aquatic organisms, on the other hand, rely on the limited amount of dissolved oxygen in water, which is often lower than the concentration of atmospheric oxygen. They need specialized structures, such as gills, to extract oxygen effectively from water.

2. Efficient Gas Exchange Systems
- Terrestrial organisms have evolved efficient respiratory systems, such as lungs or tracheae, to facilitate gas exchange between their bodies and the atmosphere. These respiratory structures provide a large surface area for the diffusion of oxygen into the bloodstream and the removal of carbon dioxide.
- In contrast, aquatic organisms must rely on specialized respiratory structures like gills, which are often less efficient in extracting oxygen from water due to its lower oxygen content. Gills are also more susceptible to damage and require a constant flow of water to function properly.

3. Reduced Competition for Oxygen
- Terrestrial organisms face less competition for oxygen compared to aquatic organisms. In water bodies, multiple organisms, including plants, algae, and other aquatic animals, share the same dissolved oxygen. This can lead to limited oxygen availability, especially in stagnant or polluted water.
- On land, terrestrial organisms have a relatively higher concentration of atmospheric oxygen available for respiration, reducing competition for this vital resource.

4. Adaptations for Efficient Oxygen Uptake
- Terrestrial organisms have developed various adaptations to optimize oxygen uptake. For example, many insects have a network of tiny tubes called tracheae that directly deliver oxygen to individual cells, enabling efficient respiration.
- Additionally, some terrestrial animals, such as birds, have evolved a highly efficient respiratory system where air flows in one direction, allowing for more efficient gas exchange compared to the tidal flow of air in mammalian lungs.

5. Ability to Breathe Air
- Terrestrial organisms have the advantage of being able to breathe air directly from the atmosphere, which is rich in oxygen. This allows them to survive in environments where oxygen availability may be limited, such as at high altitudes or in areas with low oxygen concentrations.
- Aquatic organisms, however, are restricted to extracting dissolved oxygen from water, which limits their distribution and ability to colonize certain habitats.

In conclusion, terrestrial organisms have several advantages over aquatic organisms in obtaining oxygen for respiration. These include greater accessibility to atmospheric oxygen, efficient gas exchange systems, reduced competition for oxygen, specialized adaptations for efficient oxygen uptake, and the ability to breathe air directly from the atmosphere. These advantages have allowed terrestrial organisms to thrive in diverse terrestrial habitats and exploit the abundant oxygen available in the air.

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