The Respiratory System!
All organisms need oxygen in order to survive. Either it is air or water that one intakes, in the end, we all are obtaining oxygen to use for energy. When oxygen enters the blood streams, it is absorbed into the cells. This element, along with glucose enters the mitochondrias where with the help of enzymes, are used to produce hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and ATP (energy). The waste (carbon dioxide) that is produced is diffused out of the blood vessels and out of the body.
Seahorses "breathe" through their gills to intake oxygen via passive diffusion. Passive diffusion is the process in which substances from high concentration diffuses into low concentration in order to maintain equilibrium. These creatures have a small structure beneath their gills called the lamellae in which there are multiple of blood vessels found. These blood vessels are surrounded by a thin layer of membrane that keeps them isolated from the outside environment. This allows for gas exchange to occur naturally. Seahorses intake water and substances from their surrounding that consists of dissolved oxygen through their gills when the level of oxygen available in their blood vessels is lower than the amount found in the water in its vicinity. This oxygen is carried in the blood vessels and absorbed by cells to be used by mitochondria for cellular respiration. Cellular respiration is the process in which cells break down glucose and oxygen to produce hydrogen, carbon dioxide and adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is the basic source of energy for cells made up of 3 phosphate groups. But during cellular respiration, one of the phosphate bonds is broken, creating adenosine diphosphate (ADP) which is eventually used for energy. As for the excretion of waste, it is diffused out of their body as simply as oxygen is taken in!
Seahorses "breathe" through their gills to intake oxygen via passive diffusion. Passive diffusion is the process in which substances from high concentration diffuses into low concentration in order to maintain equilibrium. These creatures have a small structure beneath their gills called the lamellae in which there are multiple of blood vessels found. These blood vessels are surrounded by a thin layer of membrane that keeps them isolated from the outside environment. This allows for gas exchange to occur naturally. Seahorses intake water and substances from their surrounding that consists of dissolved oxygen through their gills when the level of oxygen available in their blood vessels is lower than the amount found in the water in its vicinity. This oxygen is carried in the blood vessels and absorbed by cells to be used by mitochondria for cellular respiration. Cellular respiration is the process in which cells break down glucose and oxygen to produce hydrogen, carbon dioxide and adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is the basic source of energy for cells made up of 3 phosphate groups. But during cellular respiration, one of the phosphate bonds is broken, creating adenosine diphosphate (ADP) which is eventually used for energy. As for the excretion of waste, it is diffused out of their body as simply as oxygen is taken in!
source: http://www.ehow.com/about_6592742_do-seahorses-breathe_.html
Did You Know?
Seahorses are the only type of fish that actually have a neck!
Source: http://www.omg-facts.com/search/Sea%20Horse
Seahorses are the only type of fish that actually have a neck!
Source: http://www.omg-facts.com/search/Sea%20Horse