Life: The Science of Biology 11th Edition

Published by W. H. Freeman
ISBN 10: 1-31901-016-4
ISBN 13: 978-1-31901-016-4

Chapter 48 - Gas Exchange - 48.2 - Enhancing Diffusion Maximizes Respiratory Gas Exchange - 48.2 Recap - Learning Outcomes - Page 1031: 1

Answer

Water flows the gills of a fish in only one direction to prevent back flow, which would carry less oxygen. Gill filaments feature a large surface area and thin tissues that are adapted to maximize diffusion. Blood also flows through the lamellae in an antiparallel direction to the flow of water to increase the amount of oxygen that can be extracted.

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