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We take for granted that we have very specialized breathing structures: our lungs are internalized and actively create favorable concentration gradients by forcing air into narrow passage ways so that we can breathe properly. Fish have external gills, crustaceans have internal gills, insects have trachae and even nudibranchs have external branchae. All of these structures feature a very high surface area and a good deal of vascularization. Corals, on the other hand, have no specialized respiratory structures. Their external anatomy only features tentacles, a mouth, some tissue in between the polyps and, in the case of soft corals, they also have some pinnules along the sides of the tentacles. None of these are differentiated into specialized respiratory structures even though they have to rely on these anatomical features for gas exchange. If you had to breathe (respire) as a coral breathes,this would be the equivalent of holding your lungs outside of your body, inside out, and just hoping that the wind would blow hard and long enough for you to be able to breathe. This is how corals breathe in their environment and the scenario above illustrates the importance of water flow for adequate gas exchange in corals. This perspective might make you think twice about reducing your aquarium's flow at night.
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
Wiki User
∙ 15y agoa reef is a huge collaboration of organisms and each one exchanges oxygen from the water and nutrients. Each changing of the tide or flow of current brings in new oxygen and nutrients
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Do babies breathe through their heads?
Yes, they breathe the same way as you and me: through their nose and mouth.
Can a cat breathe with its mouth?
Yes, cats can breathe through their mouths, but normally through their nose
Do humans breath through their skin?
No, humans don't breathe through their skin. They breathe through their nose and mouth.
How do elephant breathe?
Elephants breathe through the mouth or trunk (which is just a very long nose) . The air then goes to the lungs, which function just like ours.
How do crocodiles breathe?
using their skin :})
Do you breathe through mouth or nose when on a nebulizer?
breathe through your mouth
Do you breathe through your nose or mouth with breathing machine mask on?
You breathe through your mouth with a machinemask on
Do dragons breathe fire through their nose?
No, they breathe fire through their mouth.
Can you breath with your tongue out?
Yes, you would breathe mostly through your mouth, but you can breathe through your nose with you tongue sticking out of your mouth.
How do mudskipper breathe?
They breathe through their skin, their mouth lining, and their throat lining, provided they are sufficiently moist.
How do cougars breathe?
Cougars breathe through their mouth and nose.
When you are running should you breathe through your nose or your mouth?
mouth
Should you breathe with your mouth when doing front crawl?
Yes, you want to breathe out through your nose, and in with your mouth
All about seals how do they breathe?
Seals breathe through their mouth and nose.
Do babies breathe through their heads?
Yes, they breathe the same way as you and me: through their nose and mouth.
How do walruses breathe?
through their mouth and nose
How does wolverines breathe?
Through nose and mouth.
