Gilled

General Information
Latin
Greek
TA98
TA2
FMA
Details
System
Artery
Vein
Nerve
Lymphatic drainage
Precursor
Function
Identifiers
Clinical significance
Notes

The term gilled refers to the presence of gills, which are respiratory organs found in many aquatic organisms. Gills are specialized structures that allow these organisms to extract oxygen from water.

Structure

Gills are typically composed of thin filaments that provide a large surface area for gas exchange. These filaments are often covered with lamellae, which further increase the surface area and facilitate the diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Function

The primary function of gills is to enable respiration in aquatic environments. Water flows over the gill filaments, and oxygen is absorbed into the bloodstream while carbon dioxide is expelled. This process is essential for the survival of many fish, amphibians, and some invertebrates.

Types of Gills

Gills can vary significantly among different species. Some common types include:

• External gills: Found in some amphibian larvae, these gills protrude from the body and are directly exposed to the surrounding water.
• Internal gills: Enclosed within gill chambers, these are typical of most fish species.

Evolution

Gills are believed to have evolved as a means of exploiting the abundant oxygen dissolved in water. The evolution of gills allowed early aquatic organisms to become more efficient at extracting oxygen, leading to greater diversity and adaptation in aquatic environments.

See also

• Respiratory system
• Fish anatomy
• Amphibian

References

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