Explain how a fish is adapted for gas exchange?

A fish had gills, made up of gill filaments containing lamellae, which provide a very large surface area for oxygen to diffuse out of the water as it moves over them. The blood vessels are in very close proximity to the lamellae, allowing a short diffusion pathway. A fish also utilises a countercurrent system, where the blood flows in the opposite direction to the water across the gills. This allows a concentration gradient to be maintained, so oxygen moves into the blood along the entire length of the gill.

Answered by Biology tutor

44114 Views

See similar Biology A Level tutors

Related Biology A Level answers

All answers ▸

Describe the process of the Krebs cycle.


What is a nerve synapse and how does it work?


Describe the structure of starch


In a population of 1000 lemmings there are two alleles for skin colour, the dominant colour being cream (C) and the recessive being white (c). 350 individuals have white skin. Use Hardy-Weinberg to predict the number of homozygous recessive individuals.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning