Hobbies And Interests
Oxygen and Tadpoles
Tadpoles gather in schools, which means they need high quantities of oxygen to survive. These small creatures need an oxygen-rich environment that consists of aquatic plant life. A place that has good water, shade, protection and food is most likely to attract frogs and hold tadpoles. However, a place that has inadequate plant life to satisfy the high oxygen demands will not appeal to egg-laying frogs. Native aquatic vegetation, those with immersed leaves, is ideal. Most algae also supply oxygen to the water. Ornamental plants, such as water lilies, provide good shelter; yet they usually do not produce enough oxygen to keep large schools of tadpoles.
Oxygen in Water and Air
There is more oxygen in the atmosphere than there is in water. Oxygen molecules enter water and dissolve; this means oxygen moves from an area with a greater concentration of oxygen to an area with a lower concentration. Freshwater plants help dissolve oxygen in the water by photosynthesis. If necessary, tadpoles can process oxygen by gulping the air, the same way they would get oxygen swallowing it in water. In some cases, tadpoles obtain air from gulping the top of the surface and swallow air molecules. However, if a tadpole is taken out of water, its respiratory system can collapse, resulting in suffocation.
The Structure of the Gills
A tadpole has tiny gill flaps that collect oxygen through water. The water opens the frog gills, while the young amphibian swims. The gills of the tadpoles consist of thin membranes, also known as lamellae. A tadpole takes in oxygen using its mouth; as soon as it closes its mouth, the muscles inside the tadpole's throat transfer the water to the gills. The water makes contact with the tadpole's blood vessels because the lamellae are constantly pulsating, pulling in water as well as oxygen as the tadpole moves.
Diffusion into the Bloodstream
The water's blended oxygen enters the blood by means of diffusion. Diffusion is the movement of air from areas of higher concentration to areas of low concentration. Oxygen mixes with the blood flowing over the gills. As this happens, carbon dioxide leaves the blood and returns to the water.