Question

Which of the following is/are (a) method(s) of respiration in an adult frog?

• A. Gill respiration
• B. Pulmonary respiration
• C. Cutaneous respiration
• D. Buccal respiration

Answer 1

Answer: (B), (C), (D)

Buccal respiration

Juvenile amphibians are aquatic, and use gills for respiration. The young generally undergo metamorphosis from a larva with gills to an adult air-breathing form with lungs. Apart from the lungs, adult amphibians like frog also have additional respiratory surfaces such as the skin and the lining of the buccal cavity. While completely submerged in water, all of the adult frog's respiration takes place through the skin. This is called cutaneous respiration. The skin is composed of thin membranous tissue that contains a large network of blood vessels. The thin membranous skin allows the respiratory gases to readily diffuse between the blood vessels and the surroundings. When the frog is out of the water, mucus glands in the skin keep the frog moist, which helps absorb dissolved oxygen from the air. A frog can also breathe by taking air in through their nostrils and down into their lungs - a method called pulmonary respiration. Frogs also have a respiratory surface on the lining of their mouth on which gas exchange takes place readily. This is called buccal respiration.