Hi,
Why do we really have lungs. Wouldn't it be more simple if we could absorb oxygen from the skin or something. Other than cleaning the air, does lungs have any other specific task. Isn't there a simpler way than the complex mechanism of lungs.
Thanks in advance
Why do we really have lungs. Wouldn't it be more simple if we could absorb oxygen from the skin or something. Other than cleaning the air, does lungs have any other specific task. Isn't there a simpler way than the complex mechanism of lungs.
Thanks in advance
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Insects do absorb air through their skin (through things called spiracles), but this method has a huge limiting factor, surface area to volume ratio. Because they use this method they can not grow any bigger than they are. This is because air absorbed through the skin can only go so deep underneath the skin. So for example air wouldn't be able to diffuse (which is the mechanism used) an inch under the skin. This means any cells at this depth would die of oxygen starvation.
When it comes to humans it is obvious that we cells in our body much deeper than 1 inch, most of which are vital organs. This means we would die if we absorbed air through the skin. Which is why we have lungs and a circulatory system.
I hope this helps :)
When it comes to humans it is obvious that we cells in our body much deeper than 1 inch, most of which are vital organs. This means we would die if we absorbed air through the skin. Which is why we have lungs and a circulatory system.
I hope this helps :)
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inside the lungs, there are things called alvioli, which are necessary for air breathers. the function of alvioli is that they take all the oxygen and send them to your blood vessels, so that will be taken into your heart. these alvioli are placed in your lungs, you cannot have them anywhere else. foe example, you cannot have them under the skin, because you have fat layers and other stuff under your skin
Another reason is that our skin is so thick. air cannot pass though our skin. but animals like frog, they breath through their skin, but they still need lungs. lungs are the main part of respiratory. sends oxygen to your heart
=D
Another reason is that our skin is so thick. air cannot pass though our skin. but animals like frog, they breath through their skin, but they still need lungs. lungs are the main part of respiratory. sends oxygen to your heart
=D
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The lungs have these small appendages called alveoli which absorb o2 and then place it into the bloodstream for cellular respiration. they work similar to gills, where fish seperate the o2 from the h ions (in water) in order to breathe.
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That's actually a very interesting point, Ive never thought about it myself. However I personally believe in creationism over evolution for seemingly redundant "Mutations" such as that. And well I suppose it could have been done on purpose for that very reason.