Aquatic organisms breathe faster than terrestrial organisms primarily because they extract oxygen from water, which has a lower concentration of dissolved oxygen compared to air. Since less oxygen is available, aquatic animals need to breathe more frequently to meet their respiratory needs.
Here’s a more detailed explanation:
Oxygen Availability:
Air contains a significantly higher concentration of oxygen compared to water. Terrestrial organisms can readily absorb oxygen from the air, whereas aquatic organisms must extract it from the water.
Respiratory Organs:
Terrestrial organisms generally use lungs to extract oxygen from air, while aquatic organisms often use gills to extract oxygen from water.
Effort of Breathing:
The lower concentration of oxygen in water makes it more difficult for aquatic organisms to obtain the oxygen they need, leading to a higher breathing rate.