Question

The operculum is a bony plate covering the gills of ________.

• A. bony fishes
• B. cartilaginous fishes
• C. all fishes
• D. tadpole

Answer 1

The correct option is A

bony fishes

The correct option is A:

Explanation of the correct option:

1. In bony fishes, the endoskeleton is partially or wholly made up of bones.
2. The gill slits are covered by gill covers called the operculum.
3. The operculum is used for respiration and feeding
4. They serve as a protective covering for gills and as a facial support structure.

Explanation of the incorrect options:

Option B:

In cartilaginous fishes, gills are generally not enclosed in gill pouches or not covered by any covers.

Option C:

Not all the fishes are bony fishes. Thus, only some fishes possess gill pouches or covers but not all.

Option D:

A tadpole does not have a bony plate covering its gills.

Final answer: The operculum is a bony plate covering the gills of bony fishes.