What are gills? What purpose do they serve in fish?

1 Answer
Sep 22, 2016

Gills are the respiratory organs of fish.

Explanation:

Gills are made up of comb like filaments called gill lamellae. This microscopic structure of the gill presents a large surface area to the external environment.

Gaseous exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide is the major function of the gills. Gaseous exchange takes place across the surface of highly vascularised gills, over which a one way current of water is kept flowing by a specialised pumping mechanism. The density of water prevents the gills from collapsing and lying on top of each other.

Along with gaseous exchange, the functions of the gill lamellae includes transfer of ions and water, exchange of oxygen, carbon dioxide, acids and ammonia.