Branchia (Noun)
Meaning
Respiratory organ of aquatic animals that breathe oxygen dissolved in water.
Classification
Nouns denoting animals.
Examples
- The gills of a fish are made up of feathery branchia that extract oxygen from the water.
- In aquatic animals, the branchia are usually located on either side of the pharynx and are protected by gill covers.
- The branchia of a shark are highly efficient and allow the animal to extract oxygen from the water even in low-oxygen environments.
- Some species of amphibians have branchia that are retained into adulthood, allowing them to breathe underwater.
- The branchia of a tadpole are highly vascularized and play a crucial role in the animal's development and growth.