Different animals have various organs for exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxtopicIde. Lizards, frogs, goats, cows, snakes, elephants, lions, and birds, like humans, have lungs in their chest cavities for breathing. The lungs of tiny creatures such as earthworms, cockroaches, ants, fish, and mosquitoes are absent. Therefore, respiration occurs differently in various organisms.

Cockroach

Insects such as cockroaches, grasshoppers, etc., have small holes on their stopicIdes and the entrances are known as spiracles. The spiracles on the bodies of insects are linked to a network of narrow air tubes called tracheae that extends throughout the insect's whole body, where gas exchange occurs. 

Oxygen-rich air rushes via spiracles into the tracheal tubes, disperses throughout the bodily tissue, and reaches each cell. The carbon dioxtopicIde that is produced by the cells diffuses into the tracheal tubes before being expelled by the spiracles.

These animals' blood does not possess hemoglobin and is hence not red. They cannot transport oxygen to all bodily parts. Therefore, air exchange occurs through the spiracles of these species. The tracheal system and spiracles are unique to insects; no other animal group has them.

Earthworm

Gases may readily travel through the wet and slimy skin of earthworms and leeches, which allows them to absorb atmospheric oxygen. They take air oxygen via their wet skin and transmit it to all of their cells through their blood.

Frog

A creature like a frog has lungs, but while in water, they breathe via their damp and slippery skin. When frogs are on land, they make use of their noses and lungs for breathing purpose.

How do different creatures breathe under the water?

There are several species that inhabit water as they can breathe underwater. The breathing techniques of several underwater creatures are explained below:

Fish

 Fishes are aquatic organisms that inhabit the water and they are equipped with specialized breathing organs called gills. The dissolved oxygen in water is absorbed by the gills. 

Gills are really skin projections with blood arteries that facilitate the exchange of breathing gases. Fish breathe by inhaling water through their mouths and expelling it through their gills. The oxygen dissolved in the water is removed by the gills and absorbed into the bloodstream.

This oxygen is subsequently transported to all fish organs for breathing. Blood returns carbon dioxtopicIde created during breathing to the gills, where it is discharged into the surrounding water.

Dolphins and Whales

In contrast to fish, marine mammals such as dolphins and whales do not possess gills for breathing. Dolphins and whales have nasal cavities known as blowholes, positioned on the top of their heads. 

Blowholes are encircled by muscles that keep them closed while whales or dolphins are submerged and open them when they need to breathe at the surface.

These creatures take in air through their noses and lungs. Occasionally, dolphins and whales come to the surface of the water to breathe. Occasionally, whales release a burst of water that goes upwards like a fountain or spray. When a whale exhales air via its blowhole, it appears as a spray or mist, often known as a spot. It is visible from a great distance away. 

The process of respiration in plants

Every life in the universe, whether animal or plant, breathes to stay alive. Additionally, plants absorb oxygen from the air and release carbon dioxtopicIde. They also convert glucose into carbon dioxtopicIde and water, releasing energy for other processes. 

Plant respiration varies from mammal respiration since plant respiration happens via leaves, roots, etc. Each plant element is capable of autonomously absorbing oxygen from the air, using it to produce energy, and exhaling carbon dioxtopicIde.

The Process of Respiration in Leaves

 The small holes on the surface of the leaves of plants are called stomata. During respiration, the exchange of gases, i.e. Oxygen (O2) and Carbon dioxtopicIde (CO2) occurs via stomata in the leaves. Oxygen from the air diffuses into every cell of a leaf via its stomata, whereas CO2 created during photosynthesis diffuses out of the leaf through its stomata.

Roots' Respiration

Root cells of the plants are responsible for respiration underneath the soil. Root cells obtain oxygen from the air that exists between soil particles. Respiration releases energy for cellular respiration, which in turn releases energy for plant growth.

Numerous root hairs, also known as root hairs, cover the surface of plant roots. Oxygen from the air contained in soil particles enters and spreads into root hair and the root cells utilize it for respiration.

Transfer of Gases in plants

The exchange of gases occurs constantly in plants, although it is greater during the day. The leaves participate more actively in photosynthesis throughout the day when exposed to sunlight. During photosynthesis, the plant uses the CO2 generated during breathing to make its food.

During photosynthesis, plants emit oxygen, which is then absorbed during respiration. Thus, plants find the right balance between CO2 and O2 levels.

FAQs:

Q1. Can humans survive in water?

Ans. Humans cannot live underwater because they lack the gills to use oxygen dissolved in water for respiration. To breathe when underwater, we must bring oxygen gas cylinders.

Q2. Why should we not over-water a plant?

Ans. The plants perish if they are overwatered for an extended period of time. This is due to the fact that water molecules plug the space between soil particles and drive out the air. Owing to this, oxygen is unavailable to the roots for aerobic respiration, and thus, plants perish. As a consequence of continuous anaerobic respiration, alcoholic compounds are produced. 

Q3. What is the cause of sneezing?

Ans. The air we breathe includes a variety of unwanted particles, including smoke, dust, and pollen. During inhalation, these particles often get entrapped in the nasal hair. These particles may at times trigger irritation of the lining of the nasal cavity, causing sneezing. Thus, sneezing assists in expelling undesirable particles from the nasal passage.

Q4. Why shouldn’t we sleep under a tree at night?

Ans. It is unwise to sleep beneath a tree at night since plants cannot photosynthesize or use carbon dioxtopicIde during the night. Therefore, a person will experience suffocation and the sensation of extra weight on the chest.