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circulatory system of amphibians

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Answered by GPT 3.5
The circulatory system of amphibians, including frogs, toads, and salamanders, is an important component of their overall physiology. It plays a crucial role in transporting oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and waste products throughout their bodies. Here is an overview of the circulatory system of amphibians:

1. Heart: Amphibians have a three-chambered heart consisting of two atria and one ventricle. The atria receive oxygenated blood from the lungs or gills and deoxygenated blood from the body. The ventricle pumps the blood out into the circulatory system.

2. Blood Vessels: The circulatory system of amphibians consists of various blood vessels, including arteries, veins, and capillaries. Arteries carry oxygenated blood away from the heart to different parts of the body, while veins transport deoxygenated blood back to the heart.

3. Pulmonary Circulation: Amphibians have both pulmonary and systemic circulation. Pulmonary circulation involves the flow of blood between the heart and the lungs or skin. In amphibians, the skin plays a vital role in gas exchange. Oxygen from the environment is diffused across their moist skin, while carbon dioxide is released. The skin capillaries carry the oxygenated blood back to the heart.

4. Systemic Circulation: Systemic circulation refers to the flow of oxygenated blood to the body's tissues and organs. After the respiratory exchange occurs at the skin, the blood pumped out of the ventricle enters the systemic circulation. Arteries carry the oxygenated blood to various body parts, and veins return the deoxygenated blood back to the heart.

5. Double Circulation: Amphibians have a partially separated double circulation system. This means that oxygenated and deoxygenated blood partially mix in the ventricle. The left atrium receives oxygenated blood from the lungs, while the right atrium receives deoxygenated blood from the body. Some freshly oxygenated blood is sent directly to the body without going through the lungs.

Overall, the amphibian circulatory system is less efficient than that of mammals or birds due to the mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood in the partially separated ventricle. Consequently, amphibians have a lower metabolic rate and require moist environments to supplement respiratory function through their skin.

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