Question

Which of the following organism(s) can perform cutaneous respiration?

• A. Earthworm
• B. Frog
• C. Leeches
• D. All of the above

Answer 1

The correct option is D All of the above

Cutaneous respiration means the respiration that happens through the skin. Earthworm and leeches belong to the phylum Annelida. Some annelids use their body wall and some have gills as their respiratory devices. Unlike mammals, earthworms and leeches do not have special respiratory organs like lungs. They have moist skin through which the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place between the body and the atmosphere. Frogs belong to the Class Amphibia under the phylum Chordata. They have lungs and a buccopharyngeal cavity for respiration but interestingly they can also use their moist skin for gaseous exchange between body and atmosphere. Cutaneous respiration is always carried out in frogs and it is also the only mode of respiration when the frog goes into hibernation and aestivation. So, all of the above organisms i.e. earthworms, frog and leeches can perform cutaneous respiration.