Select all the characteristics of lungs in terrestrial vertebrates.
water supports the feathery filaments
external organ across which water flows
kept moist by being located inside the body
saclike organs in which capillary networks are exposed to air
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct characteristics of lungs in terrestrial vertebrates are:
- Kept moist by being located inside the body
- Saclike organs in which capillary networks are exposed to air
Explanation:
Lungs in terrestrial vertebrates are specialized organs that allow for the exchange of gases like oxygen and carbon dioxide between the body and the environment. These organs are essential for breathing, and their design is adapted to terrestrial life.
- Kept moist by being located inside the body:
Lungs in terrestrial vertebrates are located inside the body, within the chest cavity, to prevent moisture loss. The exchange of gases occurs through the moist membranes of the lungs, and keeping the lungs inside the body helps maintain this moisture. If lungs were exposed directly to the air, they would dry out, and gas exchange would be inefficient. The moist environment in the lungs helps dissolve gases, allowing for their effective diffusion into the blood. - Saclike organs in which capillary networks are exposed to air:
Lungs have a saclike structure, and within these sacs are tiny air sacs called alveoli. These alveoli are surrounded by dense networks of capillaries. The walls of the alveoli are very thin and moist, which allows for the efficient exchange of gases. Oxygen from the air diffuses through the alveolar walls into the capillaries, where it binds to red blood cells, and carbon dioxide from the blood diffuses into the alveoli to be exhaled.
The other two options, “water supports the feathery filaments” and “external organ across which water flows,” are characteristics of gills found in aquatic animals, not lungs. Gills function in a similar way to lungs, but they are adapted to water, where oxygen is extracted from water as it flows over the gill filaments.
Now, I will generate an image of the lungs showing the structure with capillaries and alveoli.
Here is the illustration showing the structure of lungs in a terrestrial vertebrate, with emphasis on the saclike alveoli and the capillary networks surrounding them. This image highlights how the lungs are adapted for efficient gas exchange within the body.
