12
Easy2Siksha
2. Flow of Water Over Gills: Once the water enters the mouth, the fish closes its mouth
and forces the water over the gills by contracting its mouth cavity. The operculum,
located on either side of the head, remains closed initially and then opens, allowing the
water to pass over the gills.
3. Gas Exchange in the Gills: As water flows over the gill filaments, oxygen from the water
diffuses into the blood vessels located in the gill lamellae. Simultaneously, carbon
dioxide in the fish's blood diffuses out of the blood and into the water. This process is
known as diffusion and occurs because of the concentration gradient—oxygen levels are
higher in the water and lower in the blood, while carbon dioxide levels are higher in the
blood and lower in the water.
4. Oxygen Transport: Once oxygen enters the blood, it is bound to a protein called
hemoglobin, which is present in red blood cells. The oxygenated blood is then
transported throughout the fish’s body to supply the organs and tissues with oxygen,
which is used for cellular respiration.
5. Carbon Dioxide Removal: After oxygen is absorbed and used by the fish's cells, carbon
dioxide is produced as a waste product. The carbon dioxide is carried back to the gills
through the bloodstream, where it diffuses out of the fish’s body and into the water.
6. Exhalation of Water: After the gas exchange takes place in the gills, the operculum
opens and the deoxygenated water, now containing carbon dioxide, is expelled from the
fish’s body.
Adaptations for Efficient Respiration
Fish like Rohu live in water, where the concentration of oxygen is much lower than in air. To
survive, Rohu has developed several adaptations for efficient respiration:
1. Large Surface Area of Gills: The gill filaments and lamellae provide a large surface area
for gas exchange, which allows the fish to absorb as much oxygen as possible from the
water.
2. Counter-Current Exchange System: Rohu uses a highly efficient system known as the
counter-current exchange system. In this system, the flow of blood in the gills runs
opposite to the flow of water. This ensures that oxygen continuously diffuses into the
blood even as the oxygen concentration in the water decreases. This system allows the
fish to extract up to 80-90% of the oxygen from the water.
3. Operculum Pumping Mechanism: The operculum helps maintain a continuous flow of
water over the gills, which is critical for uninterrupted gas exchange. By constantly
moving water over the gills, the fish ensures that fresh oxygen-rich water is always
available for respiration.
4. Hemoglobin with High Oxygen Affinity: The hemoglobin in Rohu's blood has a high
affinity for oxygen, meaning it can bind and transport oxygen efficiently, even in water
with lower oxygen levels.