The Respiratory Structure and Breathing Mechanism of Amphibians

The respiratory structure of a frog

The gaseous exchange occurs mainly through the skin and in the lungs. The lungs of the frogs consist of a pair of thin-walled sacs connected to the mouth through an opening called glottis.

Adaptation of the skin for the gaseous exchange

1.The skin is thin and highly permeable
-To allow the absorption of respiratory gases into the blood capillaries

2.Beneath the skin is a network of blood capillaries

-To receive oxygen and transport it to the body cells

3.The skin is kept moist by glands found on the surface of the body
- facilitate rapid and efficient exchange of gases between the skin & the environment

Adaptation of the lung for gaseous exchange

1.The surface area for gases exchange is increased by numerous inner partition - To increase the surface area for gases exchange 2.Covered with a rich network of blood capillaries - To receive oxygen an transport it to the body cells 3.The membrane of the lungs are thin and moist - Facilitate the efficient diffusion of respiratory gases in and out rapidly

The breathing mechanism of frogs

Inhalation
As a frog breathes through its nostrils, the buccopharyngeal floor is lowered and the glottis closes. Air is drawn into the bucco-pharyngeal cavity. When the glottis opens, the nostrils are closed. The increase air pressure forces air into the lungs. The lungs expand and with rapid movements of the bucco-pharyngeal floor in the frog, fresh air is accumulated for lung ventilation

Exhalation
When the lungs muscles contract, air is expelled from the lungs.

1.During inhalation, the air is drawn into the . cavity through the nostrils. 2.The .. is closed and the stale air remains in the lungs. 3.When the glottis opens, the.. are closed. 4.The increased air pressure forces air into the lungs. 5.The lungs. and with rapid movements of buccopharyngeal floor, this will accumulate fresh air for When the lungs muscles .and also with the help of abdominal pressure, air is ..is expelled from the lungs.