Fish have a two-chambered heart, and blood is oxygenated in the gills before directly circulating through the body, resulting in a single passage through the heart per cycle, unlike other vertebrates with double circulation.
What is unique about the circulation system in fishes, and how does it differ from other vertebrates?
Share
Fishes have a unique circulation system characterized by a two-chambered heart. In this system, blood is pumped from the heart to the gills for oxygenation, and then it directly circulates through the rest of the body. Unlike other vertebrates with double circulation, where blood passes through the heart twice in each cycle, fish accomplish oxygenation and distribution in a single pass. This streamlined process is suitable for aquatic life, optimizing the efficiency of oxygen uptake from water. Fishes’ simple circulatory design reflects their adaptation to underwater environments and the specific challenges posed by extracting oxygen from water.