Why do some vertebrates, like a hellbender salamander, exchange oxygen as well a

Question

Why do some vertebrates, like a hellbender salamander, exchange oxygen as well as carbon dioxide through their skin but bony fishes, like a goldfish, only exchange oxygen? *

2 points

A. Goldfish do not produce CO2 since they live completely underwater

B. Goldfish have gills that diffuse CO2 while hellbender salamanders do not

C. Only young goldfish diffuse just O2 through their skin but adult goldfish diffuse both gases

D. Hellbender salamanders have hair-like projections on their skin, enabling them to diffuse both gases

Explanation / Answer

In bony fishes transfer of oxygen occurs over a large surface area of capillary membranes contained in the feathery filaments of the gills.

The process of breathing for a goldfish starts when it draws in oxygenated water through its open mouth and closes it’s throat and operculum. The goldfish then shuts it’s mouth and opens its operculum forcing oxygenated water out through the gills. Before the oxygen in the water can enter the goldfish’s blood stream, it must pass over important parts of the gills.

Hellbender salamandor do have cutaneous projection on body helping them in diffusing both gases.

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