tHE IMportance of oxygen and gas exchange
Oxygen in animals proves to be extremely important for one specific reason. With the help of body functions, oxygen is used to help make energy which is necessary for survival. Energy is created through multiple body systems, although through gas exchange, oxygen molecules are needed to fuel cells that create energy from food. In order for this process of food getting turned into energy to occur, oxygen must be present. The Mitochondria, an organelle found in most eukaryotic cells, generates most cell's supply of ATP. It is often nicknamed the "powerhouse" of the cell because of the great amount of energy it provides for the cell [1]. ATP is a nucleoside triphosphate used in cells as a coenzyme [2]. This process of cellular respiration, where energy converges is entirely dependent on oxygen, ATP to glucose would not occur if it wasn't for oxygen! Overall, oxygen is necessary for receiving energy and without it, cells would not be able to property function.
Human gas exchange
There are a handful of specific body parts that humans use to complete the process of respiration. The first two body parts are the mouth and nasal cavity. Oxygen is absorbed into both of these entrances. The oxygen then passes through the larynx, which is the organ in charge of producing sound. After it passes through trachea, also known as the windpipe, and then through the bronchi. The bronchi are smaller tubes that eventually lead to the lungs. Once here, the oxygen is passed through an area with alveoli, which are air sacs that aid with the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. The oxygen diffuses into the blood stream and eventually, carbon will diffuse back into the alveoli as we exhale.
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gas exchange in sally
Sally lightfoot crabs obtain oxygen with the help of their gills. They too, need oxygen for the same reasons we do. Only instead of lungs, they have gills on the outside of their bodies to take in oxygen [3]. During respiration, oxygen molecules first dissolve into a layer of moisture which surrounds a thin membrane. From here, oxygen molecules cross through the membrane into the circulatory system. Crabs use their gills to extract oxygen from the water [4]. However, crabs have the ability to survive for long periods out of water as long as they can keep their gills moist. Oxygen from the air will diffuse into the moisture, then into the gills. One way to keep their gills from drying out is to find cool, dark and moist places to hide when on land.
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