Question
What is the role of the swim bladder in fish and air sacs in birds?
Answer
Swim bladder in fish:
- Buoyancy control: It helps fish regulate their depth in the water column by adjusting the amount of gas (usually oxygen) in the swim bladder.
- Maintains neutral buoyancy: By controlling the gas volume, fish can stay suspended at a specific depth without exerting much energy for swimming.
Air sacs in birds:
- Oxygen exchange: Air sacs act as a reservoir, allowing continuous one-way airflow through the lungs, ensuring efficient oxygen exchange during both inhalation and exhalation.
- Enhanced respiration: Air sacs enable a constant supply of fresh oxygenated air, improving the efficiency of oxygen transport and facilitating high metabolic demands during flight.
