Terrestrial organisms have a distinct advantage over aquatic organisms regarding oxygen intake for respiration because they respire using oxygen-rich air, which has a much higher concentration of oxygen compared to water. While aquatic organisms rely on dissolved oxygen in water, which is typically less than 1% of the total volume, terrestrial organisms have access to air containing approximately 21% oxygen. This means terrestrial organisms can obtain oxygen more readily and efficiently, potentially reducing the rate of breathing and the need for specialized adaptations for gas exchange.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
Oxygen Concentration:
Air contains a much higher concentration of oxygen than water. For example, air is about 21% oxygen, while water typically contains less than 1%.
Ease of Access:
Terrestrial organisms can readily inhale oxygen from the atmosphere, making it easy to obtain the necessary oxygen for respiration.
Breathing Rate:
The higher oxygen concentration in air allows terrestrial organisms to respire at a slower rate compared to aquatic organisms, which often have a faster breathing rate to obtain sufficient oxygen.
Reduced Adaptations:
The ease of obtaining oxygen in air reduces the need for complex adaptations for gaseous exchange, as seen in aquatic organisms.