Introduction to the Respiratory System
Almost every biotic organism needs oxygen to survive. When inhaled, oxygen is spread to every cell. Oxygen is needed to make energy and so is starch. When starch is eaten, it breaks down into glucose which first diffuses into the
cell and then is pulled in by active transport. Using the oxygen and glucose, the mitochondria produces excess water, carbon dioxide, and ATP (stored energy). This is where the carbon dioxide comes from. However, carbon dioxide is waste, not needed in the body, so it is carried through your blood stream and back into your lungs where it is exhaled. The energy organisms need is also made in this process. When the cells break down glucose to make ATP, the ATP is stored in bonds between phosphates. When the bond is broken, energy is released. All living things need this energy. Without oxygen, very few organisms could survive. The Purple Sea Urchin would die without oxygen, and so would you. Therefore, the respiratory system is essential to most life.
cell and then is pulled in by active transport. Using the oxygen and glucose, the mitochondria produces excess water, carbon dioxide, and ATP (stored energy). This is where the carbon dioxide comes from. However, carbon dioxide is waste, not needed in the body, so it is carried through your blood stream and back into your lungs where it is exhaled. The energy organisms need is also made in this process. When the cells break down glucose to make ATP, the ATP is stored in bonds between phosphates. When the bond is broken, energy is released. All living things need this energy. Without oxygen, very few organisms could survive. The Purple Sea Urchin would die without oxygen, and so would you. Therefore, the respiratory system is essential to most life.
The Respiratory System of the Purple Sea Urchin
The oxygen obtained by a Purple Sea Urchin is dissolved in water. Although the Purple Sea Urchin can obtain oxygen simply by staying still with water surrounding it, the way it spreads oxygen throughout the body is very unique. Instead of the respiratory system used by many organisms, the Purple Sea Urchin has a water vascular system, one of its uses being respiration. A water vascular system is a network of canals ending in the tubed feet of a Sea Urchin. There is also the ring canal which surrounds the mouth. The ring canal and tubed feet are part of the madreporite which is an opening used to filter water into the water vascular system. The stone canal is a tube that connects the madreporite to the ring canal. In addition, the Purple Sea Urchin has 5 pairs of external gills around its mouth. Oxygen enters through the gills and tubed feet. When the oxygen level is low in a Purple Sea Urchin, muscles associated with Aristotle's Lantern pump fluid through the body (through the canals). Carbon dioxide (waste) is released through the anus. The Purple Sea Urchin obtains oxygen through diffusion only (the diffusion of oxygen into the organism). Also, oxygen diffuses from the canals into the rest of the body and carbon dioxide diffuses back into the canals to be released.
Fun Facts
1. Purple Sea Urchins are one of the few organisms who obtain oxygen using only diffusion!
2. Purple Sea Urchins have a very undeveloped respiratory system!
3. Purple Sea Urchins use their tubed feet both to obtain oxygen and to move around!
4. None of the energy made by oxygen is used by the brain because Purple Sea Urchins don't have brains!
2. Purple Sea Urchins have a very undeveloped respiratory system!
3. Purple Sea Urchins use their tubed feet both to obtain oxygen and to move around!
4. None of the energy made by oxygen is used by the brain because Purple Sea Urchins don't have brains!
Regulation
Purple Sea Urchins are cold blooded and incapable of controlling their body temperature. Their body temperature is the same as the water they are in. That is why sea urchins live in waters that they are best suited for.
Sources
http://lcmrschool.org/HS/Roth/Biology_animate/Ch28/ActiveArt/index.html
http://www.uas.alaska.edu/arts_sciences/naturalsciences/biology/tamone/catalog/echinodermata/Cucumaria_vegae/water_vascular_system.html
http://www.oceaninn.com/the-nature-preserve/echinoderms/
http://www.uas.alaska.edu/arts_sciences/naturalsciences/biology/tamone/catalog/echinodermata/Cucumaria_vegae/water_vascular_system.html
http://www.oceaninn.com/the-nature-preserve/echinoderms/