Fish Respiratory

System
Group 1
 FISH RESPIRATION
Fish respiration plays a crucial role in their
physiology, supporting essential functions
such as energy production, growth, and
overal l s urvi val . Un ders t an di n g t he
m e c h a n i s m s a n d s i g n i f ic a n c e o f
respiration is vital for studying f ish health,
behavior, and ecology.
EVER WONDER HOW FISH
BREATHE UNDER WATER?
Fish are able to breathe underwater using their
specialized organs calledgills . In some f ish, they can
even breathe in low-oxygen environments using a lung-
like organ.

(Thunnus albacares) (Lepidosiren paradoxa)

Anatomy of Fish Respiratory System
Anatomy of Fish Respiratory System

Gills- Primary organs for gas exchange,

extracting oxygen from water and releasing
carbon dioxide.
.

Gill Filaments- Thin, thread-like projections

extending from the gill arches. Increase the
surface area for efficient gas exchange.

Lamellae- Microscopic, thin-walled

structures on the gill filaments. Facilitate the
diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide
between the water and blood.
Gill Arches- Curved, supportive structures
that hold the gill f ilaments in [Link]
structural support and contain blood vessels
that transport
. gases.

Gill Rakers-Comb-like structures that trap

food particles, enhancing feeding efficiency.

Operculum-Bony plate covering the gills.

Protects the gills and regulates the f low of
water over them by opening and closing.
Buccal Cavity- The mouth area through
which water enters. Expands and contracts
to create a f lo w of water over the gills for
respiration.
.

Branchial Chamber - Often referred to as the

gi l l c ha mber, i s a c r i ti c a l a na to mi c a l
structure that houses the gills, facilitating
respiration in aquatic environments.
Respiratory Mechanisms
of Fish
 Respiratory Mechanisms of Fish

Buccal Pumping: Water is drawn into the

mouth (buccal cavity) by expanding it, then
pushed over. the gills by closing the mouth
a n d c o n t ra c t i n g t h e c a vi t y. C r e a t e s a
continuous flow of water over the gills for gas
exchange.

Opercular Pumping: The operculum (gill cover)

opens and closes to help move water over
the gills. Assists in maintaining water f lo w
and enhancing gas exchange efficiency.
 Respiratory Mechanisms of Fish

Dual Pump Mechanism: Combines buccal and

opercular pumping to create a coordinated
water flow
.
across the gills.Efficiently facilitates
gas exchange and suits various swimming
behaviors.

Ram Ventilation: Fish swim with their mouths

open, forcing water over the gills through their
forward movement. Provides a continuous
water f low for gas exchange, commonly used
by fast-swimming species.
 Respiratory Mechanisms of Fish

O bl i ga t e ra m ve n t i l a t i o n : F i s h m u s t s w i m
continuously with their mouths open to breathe. This
method of. respiration relies on water f lo wing over
their gills to extract oxygen, making it essential for
their survival that they remain in motion.

Concurrent gas exchange: A mechanism where the

gas exchange medium (such as air or water) and the
blood f low in a respiratory system move in the same
direction through the gas exchanger.
Respiratory Mechanisms of Fish

Countercurrent gas exchange: A highly

ef fic ient mechanism that enhances the
diffusion. of oxygen between water and
blood in fish gills.

Cutaneous Respiration refers to the gas

exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide
across the skin, which becomes
particularly important when f is h immers
out of water.
Adaptations of Fish to
Different Habitats
 Adaptations of Fish to Freshwater vs. Marine Respiration
Different Habitats
Freshwater Fish: Adapt to low salinity
with larger
. gill surfaces for ef fic ient
oxygen uptake.

Marine Fish: Handle high salinity with

specialized gills that excrete excess
salts and manage high oxygen levels.
 Oxygen-Poor Environments
Increased Gill Surface Area: Larger or more
complex gills enhance oxygen absorption.

High-Af finity Hemoglobin: Hemoglobin with

a greater af fin ity for oxygen improves
oxygen uptake in low-oxygen conditions.

Specialized Structures: Features like

labyrinth organs andlungs in some species
allow for air-breathing.
Air-Breathing Fish

Lungf is h (Lepidosiren paradoxa) : Have

both gills and lung-like structures to
breathe air, surviving in oxygen-poor or
drying environments.

Labyrinth Fish (Anabas testudineus) :

Possess a labyrinth organ for breathing
atmospheric oxygen, suited for stagnant
or low-oxygen waters.

Gar(Atractosteus spatula): Have a highly

vascularized swim bladder that acts as a
supplementary lung.
Comparative Respiratory
Physiology
Comparative Respiratory Physiology
Bony Fish (Osteichthyes):

Respiratory System: Features a bony structure with

gill arches and f il aments. Operate a complex
s ys tem o f bucca l a nd o percula r pum ping to
facilitate water flow over gills.

Ecological Adaptations: Adapted to a wide range of

aquatic environments, from freshwater to marine,
with variations in gill structure to optimize oxygen
uptake.
Comparative Respiratory Physiology
Jawless Fish (Agnatha):

Respiratory System: Jawless f ish, such as lampreys

and hagf ish, possess a simpler respiratory system,
they have a series of gill pouches or openings
connected directly to the pharynx, rather than
complex gill arches and filaments.

Ecological Adaptations: Found in both freshwater

and marine environments; lampreys migrate, while
hagf is h are primarily deep-sea. Lampreys have
adaptable gill pouches; hagf is h have multiple gill
openings for low-oxygen conditions.
Comparative Respiratory Physiology
Cartilaginous Fish (Chondrichthyes):

Respiratory System:Have a more primitive structure

with ca r tila gino us gill a rches a nd f ewer gill
f ilaments. Often rely on ram ventilation (swimming
with open mouths) to force water over gills.

Ecological Adaptations: Adapted to more specif ic

niches, such as deep-sea or coastal environments,
with modif ic ations like spiracles (in rays) to aid
respiration when resting on the sea floor.
Environmental and
Ecological Factors
Environmental and Ecological Factors

Temperature: Inf lu ences oxygen solubility in water;

higher temperatures reduce oxygen levels. Affects f ish
metabolic rates, increasing their oxygen demand.

Oxygen Levels: Fish adapt to varying oxygen levels

through behaviors like moving to more oxygen-rich
areas or altering their respiratory patterns.

Salinity: Fish's respiratory system adapts to salinities,

affecting gill function and overall ef fic iency, with
varying osmoregulatory strategies in freshwater and
marine environments.
Environmental and Ecological Factors

Wa ter Flo w: Fis h a da pta tio ns in f lo wing wa ter

environments like rivers and stagnant water may be
inf luenced by their ability to extract oxygen and cope
with lower oxygen availability.

Pollution: Pollutants like heavy metals and chemicals

can damage gill tissues and decrease oxygen uptake
ef fic iency, leading some f is h to develop adaptation
mechanisms to tolerate or avoid polluted areas.
Role of Respiration in Fish
Physiology
 Role of Respiration in Fish Physiology

Energy Production: Fish breathe to intake oxygen, which is crucial for cellular
respiration. This process converts nutrients into ATP, the energy source that
powers vital functions such as movement, growth, and reproduction.

Growth and Development: Adequate oxygen levels are essential for healthy
growth. Insuf ficient oxygen can lead to stunted growth and developmental
issues.

Survival and Homeostasis: Respiration helps maintain the acid-base balance

by removing excess carbon dioxide, thus supporting overall health and
survival.
 Importance in Ichthyology

Assessing Environmental Stressors: Studying f is h respiration helps

evaluate how environmental changes, such as pollution or temperature
shifts, impact fish health and behavior.

Understanding Species Distribution: Different f is h species have varying

oxygen needs, which inf luence their habitat preferences and distribution.
Respiration studies aid in mapping these distributions.

Conservation Efforts: Insights into f is h respiration support effective

conservation strategies by highlighting how f ish respond to environmental
challenges and guiding habitat protection and restoration efforts.
 Thank You So Much
for Listening
Members:
Martinez, Joy Mae Marie N.
Biadnes, Lovey Mae T.
Hamja, Abdulghaffar A.
Militante, Crismel C.
Navarro, Juan Paolo T.
Jumamil, Reymark A.
References:

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