Structure and functions of Gills

in Fishes .
● Gills are the respiratory organ of fish.
Enabling them to extract oxygen
from water and expel carbon dioxide.
● This adaption is curical to survive in
aquatic atmosphere where oxygen is
less readily avaliable that in air.
● By understanding the anatomy and
physiology of gills . We can appreciate
the remarkable evolutionary
adaptations that allows fish thrive
Overview of Fish respiration .....

 Why do Fish needs gills ?

▪︎Fish like all living organism need oxygen for cellular respiration
the process that generates energy .
▪︎In aquatic environment oxygen dissolved in water but it’s
concentration is muscles lower than in air ( about 5 to 10 ml of
oxygen per liter of water Compare to 210 of air ) .
▪︎Gills are specialized structure that maximize the extraction of this
limited oxygen.
CHALLENGES OF AQUATIC
RESPIRATION.......
 Water is denser and more viscous. than air making it harder to
move over respiratory system.
 Oxygen diffuse more slowly in water than in air .
 Fish must constantly pump water over their gills to maintain a
steady supply of oxygen .
ANATOMY OF GILLS.....

■ LOCATION AND EXTERNAL STRUCTURE

- Gills are located in pharyngeal region behind the head and
protected by bony flap called the operculum .
- The operculum acts like a door opening and closing to allow
water to flow over it Gills while protecting Them from physical
damage .
■ GILLS ARCHES
- These are bony and cartiginous that form the framework of the
gills.
- most fish have four pairs of gills arches through some species
May have more or fewer .
- Each gills arches Supports row of gills filaments.
■The GILLS FILLAMENTS .
- These are thin and finger like projections That extend from the gills
arches.
- They are arrange in rows and are highly vascularised meaning they
contain a dense network of Capillaries
■ GILLS LAMELLAE .
- The gills filaments are cover with tiny plate like structure called
lamellae .
- These lamellae are the primary site of gas exchange due to their
large surface area and thin epithelial layer .
- The thin epithelial layer allows for rapid diffusion of oxygen and
carbon dioxide.
FUNCTIONS OF GILLS
 Gills are specialized respiratory organs found in aquatic animals,
primarily fish, amphibians, and some invertebrates. Their main function
is to extract oxygen from water and release carbon dioxide through a
process called gas exchange.
 how gills work:
 1. Water enters the mouth and passes over the gills.
 2. Oxygen from the water is absorbed into the bloodstream through
thin filaments in the gills.
 3. Carbon dioxide is removed from the bloodstream and released into
the water.
 4. The oxygen-rich blood is then circulated to the rest of the body.Gills
allow aquatic animals to breathe underwater, making them essential
for survival in aquatic environments.
MECHANISM OF GAS
EXCHANGE.....
 Gas exchange in gills occurs through a process called diffusion, where oxygen and
carbon dioxide move across thin membranes.
 Here's a simplified breakdown:
 1. *Water flows over gill filaments*: Oxygen-rich water passes over the gill rakers
and filaments.
 2. *Oxygen diffuses into blood*: Oxygen molecules (O2) in the water diffuse
across the thin epithelial cells of the gill filaments into the bloodstream, binding
to hemoglobin in red blood cells.
 3. *Carbon dioxide diffuses out*: Carbon dioxide (CO2) molecules in the
bloodstream diffuse out of the blood and into the water, passing through the gill
filaments.
 4. *Countercurrent exchange*: In many fish, the blood flow in the gills runs
counter to the water flow, maintaining a concentration gradient that maximizes
oxygen absorption and carbon dioxide removal.This efficient mechanism allows
aquatic animals to extract oxygen from water and release waste gases.
 CONTRECURRENT EXCHANGE
SYSTEM......
 In fish, the countercurrent exchange system is a mechanism that helps them conserve
heat in cold water.
 Here's how it works:- Cold blood from the gills flows through vessels adjacent to warm
blood vessels carrying oxygenated blood from the body to the gills.
 Heat is transferred from the warm arterial blood to the cold venous blood, minimizing heat
loss to the surrounding water.
 This efficient heat exchange system allows fish to maintain a relatively stable body
temperature, especially in cold environments.
 This system is particularly important for fish like tuna and some species of sharks that are
endothermic (warm-blooded) or have regional endothermy.
ROLE OF VENTILATION.....
 Ventilation in fish refers to the movement of water over the gills, allowing
for gas exchange.
 The role of ventilation is crucial:
 1. *Supplies oxygen*: Ventilation brings oxygen-rich water to the gills,
enabling fish to extract oxygen.
 2. *Removes carbon dioxide*: It helps remove carbon dioxide from the gills,
preventing buildup.
 3. *Maintains gradient*: Ventilation maintains the concentration gradient
for gas exchange.
 Fish achieve ventilation through:
 1. *Buccal pumping*: Using mouth and operculum movements.
 2. *Ram ventilation*: Swimming with mouth open.Efficient ventilation is
vital for fish respiration, especially in low-oxygen environments.
ADAPTATIONS OF GILLS....
 Gills have several adaptations that enable efficient gas exchange in
aquatic environments:
 1. *Large surface area*: Thin, branching filaments increase the
surface area for gas exchange.
 2. *Thin epithelium*: The thin layer of cells allows for easy diffusion of
gases.
 3. *Rich blood supply*: A dense network of blood vessels facilitates
gas exchange.
 4. *Countercurrent exchange*: Blood and water flow in opposite
directions, maximizing oxygen absorption.
 5. *Gill rakers*: Protect gills from debris and help direct water flow.

COMPARATIVE ASPECTS OF
GILLS......
 Comparative aspects of gills in different aquatic animals:*Similarities:*
 1. *Gas exchange*: All gills facilitate oxygen absorption and carbon dioxide removal.
 2. *Water flow*: Gills require water flow to function efficiently.
 *Differences:*
 1. *Structure*: Gills vary in shape, size, and complexity across species (e.g., fish,
amphibians, crustaceans).
 2. *Location*: Gills can be internal (fish) or external (some amphibians).
 3. *Gill type*: Some animals have feathery gills (mollusks), while others have filamentous
gills (fish).
 *Specializations:*
 1. *High-altitude fish*: Some fish have more efficient gills to cope with low oxygen levels.
 2. *Crustaceans*: Some crabs and lobsters have gills adapted for both water and air
brealevels.
 These comparisons highlight the diversity and adaptability of gill structures in aquatic
animals.
CONCLUSION

 In conclusion, gills are remarkable respiratory organs that enable

aquatic animals to thrive in diverse water environments. Their
unique structure, function, and adaptations allow for efficient gas
exchange, making them essential for the survival of fish,
amphibians, and other aquatic organisms. Understanding gills
provides valuable insights into the biology and ecology of aquatic
life.
Thank you 😊

_sanyogi patil _