Frogs

how do frogs breathe underwater


How do Frogs Breathe Underwater?

Frogs are amphibious animals and have the remarkable ability to breathe both on land and under water. This is especially helpful for frogs that live in or near water for long periods of time. But how do they do it?

Frogs and their Respiratory System

Frogs have two respiratory organs: one for breathing on land and a second for breathing underwater. To breathe on land, frogs use their lungs to take in oxygen. To breathe underwater, they use their skin combined with special organs called “lungs of the skin”.

Skin Respiratory System

The “lungs of the skin” are specialized organs, located on the frog’s body just behind the eyes. These organs form a network with the frog’s skin, allowing the frog to absorb oxygen directly through its skin. This process, known as cutaneous respiration, is similar to the gills of fish and helps to increase the oxygen level in the frog’s body.

How it Works

Frogs need to be wet for cutaneous respiration to take place. So when a frog is submerged in water, it absorbs water through its skin and a specialized serum containing blood pigments passes through the “lungs of the skin”. This serum then helps to break down the oxygen from the water, allowing the amphibian to absorb the oxygen from the water, just like a fish does.

Special Adaptations

Frogs also have several special adaptations that help them to survive underwater. For instance, they have a muscular and elastic gall bladder that helps them absorb more oxygen. They also have an extra-long esophagus which allows them to consume more oxygen with each breath. Finally, they have an extra-thick skin to help insulate their body and help them retain oxygen and water.

Conclusion

Overall, frogs have an amazing ability to breathe both on land and under water. They are able to take in oxygen through their lungs and skin, thanks to the specialized respiratory organs known as “lungs of the skin”. Furthermore, they have several special adaptations that help them to survive and thrive in their aquatic habitats.

For more information about frogs and their respiratory system, please refer to the links below:

  • https://www.researchgate.net/publication/264202163_Respiratory_Physiology_in_Aquatic_Amphibians
  • http://amphibiaweb.org/amphib/respirat.html
  • https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/frogs/respiration

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