Question

Describe the respiratory organs of nonchordates.

Answer 1

Respiratory organs of nonchordates are gills. However, most nonchordates use skin and tracheal systems as respiratory organs. Gills are common for the aquatic annelids, molluscs and arthropods. Usually, the gills are like feathers in shape. They divide the mantle cavity so water enters near the bottom and exits near the top. If the osphradia detect noxious chemicals, the cilia of gills stop beating. Each gill has an incoming blood vessel connected to the hemocoel and an outgoing one to the heart. Some organisms have thin-walled gills through which gases are exchanged between the blood and the environment. Insects have the tracheal system that is covered by a thin layer of cuticle that is permeable to oxygen and carbon dioxide.