Water loss during air breathing, Biology

Assignment Help:

Water loss during air breathing

You have learnt that water is lost through the respiratory surface. In the terrestrial vertebrates the evaporative loss is reduced, because the respiratory surface in them (the lungs) is internal to the body cavity. Even within the lungs ventilation of the respiratory epithelium by unsaturated air will cause evaporation of the moisture wetting the epithelial surface. In birds and mammals such evaporative loss is enhanced because of the difference between the body temperature and ambient temperature.

1463_Water loss during air breathing.png

Figure:  Temporal countercurrent system

Warmer air can hold more moisture when saturated than cool air. Since the expired air is warmer than the inspired air, water is lost during expiration. In a number of vertebrates the respiratory loss of water is minimised through a mechanism known as temporal countercurrent system. During inspiration cool air entering the lungs via nasal passage gets warmed by the heat of the nasal passage and absorbs moisture from the respiratory epithelium of the lungs. During expiration, the same air loses most of the heat it gained earlier as it warms the cool nasal passage on its way out. As the expired air gives up some of its heat to the tissue of the nasal passage, most-of the moisture acquired from the respiratory epithelium condenses on the cool nasal epithelium. With the next inhalation, this condensed moisture again contributes to the humidification of the inspired air, and the cycle is repeated.


Related Discussions:- Water loss during air breathing

Are there chloroplasts in cyanobacteria, Are there chloroplasts in cyanobac...

Are there chloroplasts in cyanobacteria? In cyanobacteria there are no chloroplasts and the chlorophyll layers are dispersed in cytosol. Which chemical element is central in

Infectious diseases, In f e c tiou s Diseases Infectious diseases ...

In f e c tiou s Diseases Infectious diseases inflicts major economic losses as the disease spreads from one animal to other and large number of animals are affected with t

Reagent for estimation of calcium by edta titrimetric method, Define Reagen...

Define Reagents for Estimation of Calcium Using EDTA Titrimetric Method? 1. Buffer solution: Dissolve 16.9 g NH 4 CI in 143 ml NH 4 OH. To this add 50 ml of solution containing

Cohesiveness and surface tension-properties of water, Cohesiveness and Surf...

Cohesiveness and Surface Tension Water flows freely, yet water molecules do not break apart. They cling together particularly to polar surfaces. Therefore, water can fill a tub

Mitochondria , MITOCHONDRIA It is the power house of the cell becaus...

MITOCHONDRIA It is the power house of the cell because they are the major centers of release of energy in the aerobic respiration. Mitochondria and chloroplast both are a

Fossil history of horse, Evolution of Horse - Credit to Prof. C. Marsh...

Evolution of Horse - Credit to Prof. C. Marsh (1879) of Yale University for complete work.   S.No   Fo ssil/Genus   Period

What are dna ligases, What are DNA ligases? How do these enzymes participat...

What are DNA ligases? How do these enzymes participate in the recombinant DNA technology? The DNA ligases are enzymes specialized in tying the complementary DNA chains that for

Explain pennate diatomsrole in diatoms, Explain Pennate diatomsrole in diat...

Explain Pennate diatomsrole in diatoms? Pennate diatoms have bilateral symmetry, which presents side-by-side mirror images if divided down the middle or centerline, as seen

Indication in circulatory assist devices, Indication :  IABP is commonly u...

Indication :  IABP is commonly used to supporting failing left ventricle after open-I1ca1-t surgery or in cardiogenic shock after myocardial infarction. It is at times used in uns

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd