Question

Name the respiratory organs of prawn.

Answer 1

Hint: A system consisting of specific organs used for gas exchange in animals is known as the respiratory system. Depending on the size, environment, and its evolutionary history the anatomy and physiology that make this happen vary greatly.

Complete step-by-step answer:
Prawn is a member of phylum arthropod (largest phylum known in the world). Prawn has three sets of organs for respiration, and they are lining of the branchiostegite, epipodites, and gills. All these organs are enclosed within a special chamber on each side of the cephalothorax, which is also known as the gill-chamber and the gill-chamber is covered by the lateral extension of the carapace, called gill- cover or branchiostegite.
The lining of the branchiostegite: Gaseous exchange takes place through the richly vascularized membrane of the branchiostegite which serves as respiratory surface.
Epipodites: Present in the anterior part of the gill-chamber, are small highly vascularised leaf-like membranous structures and are present one on the coxal segment of each maxilliped. They carry out respiratory functions.
Gills: They are primary respiratory organs and freshwater enters the gill chamber in the form of a current. The gill-plates are covered with permeable membrane for the passage of gases. The respiration through gills is known as branchial respiration.
The structure of gills: crescent-shaped and their sizes increase gradually from anterior to posterior direction.

Note: In prawn, appendages modified to function as mouthparts or for feeding are known as maxilliped. In the less advanced arthropods, these can be very similar to the pereiopods (primarily walking legs and are also used for gathering food).