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Multiple Choice
What is the primary outcome when water flows through the gills of a fish?
A
Water is converted into energy by the gill cells.
B
Carbon dioxide is absorbed from the water into the bloodstream.
C
Glucose is transported from the water into the gill cells.
D
Oxygen is absorbed from the water into the bloodstream.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the function of gills in fish: Gills are specialized organs that allow fish to extract oxygen from water and expel carbon dioxide. This process is essential for respiration in aquatic environments.
Recognize the mechanism of gas exchange: Water flows over the gill filaments, which are rich in capillaries. Oxygen dissolved in the water diffuses into the blood through the thin walls of the capillaries, while carbon dioxide diffuses out into the water.
Clarify why oxygen absorption is the primary outcome: Fish rely on oxygen for cellular respiration, which is the process of converting glucose into energy (ATP). Without oxygen absorption, the fish would not be able to sustain its metabolic processes.
Eliminate incorrect options: Water is not converted into energy, carbon dioxide is not absorbed into the bloodstream, and glucose is not transported from water into gill cells. These processes are not biologically accurate in the context of gill function.
Conclude that the correct answer is: Oxygen is absorbed from the water into the bloodstream, as this is the primary function of gills in fish respiration.