Rummer, Jodie L. (2010) Ion regulation drives gill development. Journal of Experimental Biology, 213 (9). iv-iv.

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Abstract

[Extract] During the embryo and early larval stages, fish are small enough to sustain metabolism by simply diffusing O₂ across their skin. However, as the fish grows this becomes inefficient and a special structure with a larger surface area for extracting O₂ is required. At this crucial moment, fish begin to develop gills, the quintessential characteristic we associate with fish and their ability to 'breathe' in watery habitats. However, gills have many more functions. Adult fish also use gills to dispose of metabolic carbon dioxide and for pH and water balance, which is done largely via ion regulation pathways. This is important because the ion concentrations of a fish’s body fluids are very different from those of the water in which it lives, allowing essential ions to leak either into or out of the fish's body to create ionic imbalances that disrupt crucial physiological processes.

Item ID:	33087
Item Type:	Article (Commentary)
ISSN:	1477-9145
Date Deposited:	26 Aug 2016 02:05
FoR Codes:	06 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 0603 Evolutionary Biology > 060309 Phylogeny and Comparative Analysis @ 50% 06 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 0606 Physiology > 060603 Animal Physiology Systems @ 50%
SEO Codes:	97 EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE > 970106 Expanding Knowledge in the Biological Sciences @ 100%
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