Question

What helps them to breathe?
(a) A fish
(b) A snake
(c) A crane
(d) An earthworm
(e) Man
(f) A banyan

Answer 1

Hint: As we know breathing or ventilation is the process of moving air out and in the lungs in order to facilitate the gas exchange within the internal environment, to flush out carbon dioxide and bring in oxygen. All aerobic creatures require oxygen for cellular respiration, which is used to break down foods for energy and produce carbon dioxide as a waste product.

Complete answer:
Breathing or external respiration brings air into the lungs whereas gas exchange occurs in the alveoli through the process of diffusion. The body's circulatory system transports these gases to and from the cells, where the cellular respiration occurs.

Fishes breathe through their gills. In aquatic respiration there is exchange of respiratory gases with water, obtaining oxygen from oxygen dissolved in water and excreting carbon dioxide and some other metabolic waste products in the water.

Snake breathes through glottis which opens up the path to windpipe or trachea. The glottis is the opening which is located at the bottom of a snake's mouth that is usually kept closed except when inhaling. The breathing process in cranes is much similar to human beings which means they breathe through their lungs.

Earthworms breathe with their mucus on the skin. They have no special respiratory organs. Gases are being exchanged through the moist skin and capillaries, where the oxygen is picked up by the haemoglobin and then dissolved in the blood plasma, after which carbon dioxide is released.

Man breathes through their lungs. The breathing process consists of repetitive cycles of inhalation and exhalation through a highly branched system of tubes which leads from the nose to the alveoli.

Banyan trees breathe in carbon dioxide. They absorb the air around them through thick pores which are called stomata. They are known for their ability to emit a large amount of oxygen.

Note: Breathing has other important functions like it provides a mechanism for speech, laughter, it is also used for reflexes such as yawning, coughing and sneezing. Animals that cannot thermoregulate by the process of perspiration, because of the absence of sufficient sweat glands, may lose heat by evaporation through panting.