how does the earthworm survive without a specialized respiratory system?
how does the earthworm's system of gas exchange limit the worms lifestyle?
2007-01-11 11:49:23 · 2 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
The earthworm gets oxygen and gets rid of carbon dioxide by diffusion through its thin, moist skin. No lungs or gills necessary.
Limitation is that the skin must be kept moist -- too dry and it will suffocate; too wet and it will drown.
2007-01-11 11:54:09 · answer #1 · answered by ecolink 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The first answer is right.
Another limitation is that respiration by diffusion only works for animals that are small and/or flat animals, because it requires high surface area/volume ratio.
Larger animals have specific structures to transport gases to and from the parts of the body that are far from the skin.
2007-01-11 20:38:20 · answer #2 · answered by Calimecita 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋