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Nature of Respiration
by Jeanette Cain
Animals move oxygen through their body systems, then release carbon dioxide to the outside of the body in a process called respiration.
The energy needed to generate energy in many-celled animals is accomplished through the process of aerobic respiration. This process requires the use of oxygen, which produces carbon dioxide in the process of respiration.
Whether living in deep, or shallow waters, underground dens, or nests, mountains, or lowlands, animals are in a continuous state of respiration. Animals may have different ways of pulling in oxygen, but each must meet the needs of maintaining stability of the respiration system to survive.
The interaction between the respiratory system and other body organs of the complex animals follows this route:
1. Water and food intake goes to the digestive system. From the digestive system there is an elimination of food waste, while other salts, water, and nutrients are sent to the circulatory system.
2. The circulatory system is used to transport the salts, water and nutrients to the cells and transport from the cells. The circulatory system will then work in cooperation with two other body systems: urinary and respiratory.
3. The respiratory system takes oxygen in and sends this intake of oxygen to the circulatory system. The circulatory system then sends carbon dioxide to the respiratory system for elimination.
4. The urinary system and the circulatory systems work together by the giving and taking of water and solutes. The urinary system will eliminate the excessive amounts of water, salts, and wastes from this process.
An animal's environment plays a vital role in the respiration process. Animals, which live in water, e.g., trout, may spend 20% of energy to stir water around its gills. In contrast, a buffalo, who is quietly chewing and standing in one spot, may spend only 2% of its energy to the process required for breathing. The reason: when water is full of dissolved oxygen, it will contain only 5% of what the air contains, while salt and warm water will hold even less amounts. Land animals face a different danger. If the respiratory membranes become dried out, they will stick together. Once these membranes stick together, the gases will not be able to spread out across the membranes. To cope for this, animals living on land will keep these surfaces moist with the help of secretions.
Sources:
1. Editors. The World Book Encyclopedia. World Book-Childcraft International, Inc: Chicago. 1990
Further Study:
Cellular Respiration
Description with images of respiration process.
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