VBSC 421 Lab Respiratory System
Spiracle (shark) - ANS-the first opening into the pharynx; also a modified gill slit
Internal Gill Slits (shark) - ANS-lead from the pharynx to the gill chambers; there are five
Gill arches (shark) - ANS-gill rakers project from this structure
Interbranchial septum (shark) - ANS-extends from gill arches to the outer body wall
Primary gill filaments (shark) - ANS-obvious ridged structures
Secondary gill filaments (Gill lamella) (shark) - ANS-plate-like structures of the gills
where gas exchange takes place
densely packed in a parallel series perpendicular to the primary gill filaments
Holobranchs - ANS-primary filaments that occur on both sides of the interbranchial
septum of each gill arch
Hemibranchs - ANS-the gills associated with the spiracle and 6th gill have primary
filaments only on one side
Efferent branchial arteries - ANS-blood vessels which transport blood from the gills to
the dorsal aorta
Afferent branchial arteries - ANS-blood vessels which transport blood from the ventral
aorta to the gills
Counter current flow - ANS-Blood and water flow in opposite directions at the gill
lamellae, maintaining the concentration gradient and, therefore, oxygen diffusion into
the blood, along their entire length.
Shark blood circulation - ANS-Heart -> V.A. -> Branchial arteries (afferent) -> Gas
exchange in gills -> Branchial arteries (efferent) -> D.A.
Ventral aorta (shark) - ANS-transports blood up to gills; countercurrent exchange
Dorsal aorta (shark) - ANS-carries oxygenated blood from the gills to the body
Spiracle (shark) - ANS-the first opening into the pharynx; also a modified gill slit
Internal Gill Slits (shark) - ANS-lead from the pharynx to the gill chambers; there are five
Gill arches (shark) - ANS-gill rakers project from this structure
Interbranchial septum (shark) - ANS-extends from gill arches to the outer body wall
Primary gill filaments (shark) - ANS-obvious ridged structures
Secondary gill filaments (Gill lamella) (shark) - ANS-plate-like structures of the gills
where gas exchange takes place
densely packed in a parallel series perpendicular to the primary gill filaments
Holobranchs - ANS-primary filaments that occur on both sides of the interbranchial
septum of each gill arch
Hemibranchs - ANS-the gills associated with the spiracle and 6th gill have primary
filaments only on one side
Efferent branchial arteries - ANS-blood vessels which transport blood from the gills to
the dorsal aorta
Afferent branchial arteries - ANS-blood vessels which transport blood from the ventral
aorta to the gills
Counter current flow - ANS-Blood and water flow in opposite directions at the gill
lamellae, maintaining the concentration gradient and, therefore, oxygen diffusion into
the blood, along their entire length.
Shark blood circulation - ANS-Heart -> V.A. -> Branchial arteries (afferent) -> Gas
exchange in gills -> Branchial arteries (efferent) -> D.A.
Ventral aorta (shark) - ANS-transports blood up to gills; countercurrent exchange
Dorsal aorta (shark) - ANS-carries oxygenated blood from the gills to the body
