Biology: The Dynamic Science (MindTap Course List)
Biology: The Dynamic Science (MindTap Course List)
4th Edition
ISBN: 9781305389892
Author: Peter J. Russell, Paul E. Hertz, Beverly McMillan
Publisher: Cengage Learning
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Chapter 46, Problem 1TYK
Summary Introduction

Introduction:

Respiratory medium is a medium or environmental source, in which animal’s exchange gases with their surroundings. It is a source of oxygen (O2) for living beings.

Expert Solution & Answer
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Answer to Problem 1TYK

Correct answer:

Air and water, describe the respiratory medium.

Explanation of Solution

Justification for the correct answer:

Option (e) states that air and water describe the respiratory medium. This is a true statement as gas exchange involves intake of O2 and release of CO2 (carbon dioxide). This gas exchange occurs in the air for terrestrial animals or in water for aquatic animals, or both in air and water for amphibians and fishes. Hence, the option (e) is correct.

Justification for the incorrect answers:

Option (a) states that liver of an amphibian, in which the rate of diffusion is high describes the respiratory medium. This is a wrong statement because liver is neither a respiratory organ nor does an exchange of gases take place in it. So, it is an incorrect option.

Option (b) states that neurons in the human brain, where CO2 moves from neurons to the blood. This is not correct because the level of CO2 controls breathing and regulates pulmonary ventilation of a body. Therefore, it does not act as a respiratory medium but helps in maintaining the concentration gradient of O2 and CO2 across the respiratory system. So, it is an incorrect option.

Option (c) states that O2 in the blood of humans serves as a medium of respiration. It is incorrect because O2 is a gas that is exchanged in a medium and serves as an important component of respiration not as a medium. So, it is an incorrect option.

Option (d) states that epithelial cells of a fish that are in contact with air. This is a wrong statement because epithelial cells of a fish are not an environmental source of O2 but act as a respiratory surface driving the exchange of gases across the medium. So, it is an incorrect option.

Hence, options, (a), (b), (c), and (d) are incorrect.

Conclusion

Therefore, it can be concluded that water and air are sources of O2 and act as a sink, in which CO2 is released, thus act as a respiratory medium.

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