Question

Why is the rate of breathing in aquatic organisms much greater than that of terrestrial organisms?

• A. Aquatic organisms have a greater lung surface area than terrestrial ones
• B. Aquatic organisms have a greater oxygen intake requirement than terrestrial ones
• C. Amount of dissolved oxygen in water is fairly low compared to that of in air
• D. Aquatic organisms have gills for oxygen intake and terrestrial organisms have lungs

Answer 1

The correct option is C Amount of dissolved oxygen in water is fairly low compared to that of in air

Terrestrial animals can breathe the oxygen in the atmosphere directly, but animals that live in water need to use the oxygen dissolved in water. Since the amount of dissolved oxygen is fairly low compared to the amount of oxygen in the air, the rate of breathing in aquatic organisms is much faster than that of terrestrial organisms.