i know this question is a little silly, but i was just wondering, if the ocean is all salt water, then why don't the fish and other animals die of high blood pressure due to the salinity?
2006-09-20 14:43:32 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
Saltwater fishes and animals don't have to worry because their bodies actually depend on higher salt concentration. without the salt, they die. their bodies have developed to allow more salt to be consumed. however they also have glands that secrete any excess salt when levels are too high. this is not just in the fish, but other animals too such as birds and marine mammals.
Not all animals are the same as humans when it comes to the vascular systems, some require more or less oxygen, some require more or less sugar and sacarite levels, and some require more or less salt levels. depending on the species, these levels differ in order to maintain survival.
anyway, just remember, sometimes you might want to go easy on the sodium but that swordfish wont.
Peace out and stay cool
2006-09-24 11:37:36 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are two main reasons for why there is salt in the ocean. 1) Rain water is slightly acidic and when the rain water falls on the minerals nears the ocean a chemical reaction occurs where NaCl comes loose and falls into the ocean. ( This has happened over hundreds of millions of years which explains the high molality of NaCl in Ocean water.) 2) The second reason why the ocean is so salty is because of the hydrothermal vents that are on the bottom of the ocean. These vents shoot off dissolved minerals including NaCl which combines with the Ocean water. Thus making the water Salty.
2016-03-26 23:48:18 · answer #2 · answered by Kristina 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Marine species have evolved mechanisms to secrete the excess salt so that their body fluids are kept at the optimal salinity for their physiology. An example of this can be seen in some marine birds that have evolved a salt secreting gland at the base of their upper bill. A whitish residue (salt) can sometimes be seen at the front of this gland.
Some fish, such as salmon and shad, can live in both fresh and salt water and do so during their migration. Their physiology changes prior to entering the fresh water on their spawning run to allow their body to adjust salt secretion to the changed conditions of the water. Those species which cannot make this change cannot survive in both ocean and freshwater salinity's.
2006-09-24 04:05:45 · answer #3 · answered by Ray 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because the scales and skin of all fish have adapted over time to only allow a (Thur osmotic balance) a safe amount of salts into the body of the fish that is why if you put a fresh water fish into salt water it will die of a heart attack and vice versa due to a salt in-balance
2006-09-20 16:38:18 · answer #4 · answered by furryblueme123 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They don't necessarily take int the sodium from the water. It is a silly question. LOL
2006-09-20 14:50:14 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
that is the adaptation of salt water fishes.freshwater forms can`t survive in this condition.
2006-09-22 00:11:22 · answer #6 · answered by sniperflywheels 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because over time they evolve to live in their surroundings like humans we have not lived long enought for out appendix to evolve out of us
2006-09-20 15:59:46 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because they have adapted to it....if they were put in fresh water they would die.
2006-09-20 14:46:47 · answer #8 · answered by Shaun 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Their bodies are adapted for it.
2006-09-20 14:50:25 · answer #9 · answered by quickblur 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I dont think they drink saltwater.
2006-09-20 15:45:03 · answer #10 · answered by jet 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋