Adaptive Respiration in Birds

Comparisons
Amphibians
-cutaneous respiration is insignificant
-respiratory organ: lungs
Humans
-two lungs connected to the trachea and
ventilated by an aspiration pump
Anatomy
two lungs connected to a trachea
no blind-ended alveoli
parabronchi
air capillaries
avascular air sacs
Anterior: interclavicular sac, cervical (paired) and
anterior thoracic sacs (paired)
Posterior: posterior thoracic (paired) and
abdominal air sacs (paired)
Breathing Mechanism
involves two cycles
-inspiration/inhalation
-expiration/exhalation


Crosscurrent Gas Exchange
Occurs in the avian lung
Diffusion of gases between the air capillaries
and parabronchus replenishes the gases
available for exchange between the lungs and
blood capillaries
Considered to be more efficient than uniform
pool model in mammal
Adaptive Respiration of Insects
Respiratory System
Tracheal system
Diffusion of oxygen directly from the
atmosphere
Anatomy
Consists of 10 pairs of spiracles
2 pairs are thoracic
8 pairs are abdominal
fine hairs
valves
Atria
Tracheae
Epithelial Cells


Mechanism