Describe the mechanism of gaseous exchange in a bony fish/ tilapia.
Answer:
-The floor of the mouth cavity is lowered/ the mouth is opened; this increases the volume of the mouth cavity; and reduces pressure; Water rushes/ flows into the mouth/ mouth cavity;
-The fish closes the mouth/ the floor of the mouth is raised; this decreases the volume; but increases the pressure;
-The operculum bulges outwards increasing the volume of the opercular cavity; and decreasing its pressure;
-Water from the mouth enters the gill chamber/ opercular cavity; and flows over the gills in a countercurrent direction to blood flow in the capillary;
-Oxygen which is in higher concentration in water; diffuses into blood capillaries; Carbon (IV) oxide which is in higher concentration in blood; diffuses out into water; Water then flows out of gill chamber through the opercular opening;