How does three chambers of heart help the amphibians?

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In summary, cold-blooded animals such as reptiles and amphibians have a less efficient cardiac design due to the fact that they do not expend a lot of energy in heat production. This allows them to survive with a single ventricle that mixes oxygenated and deoxygenated blood. They are also able to shut off pulmonary artery flow during diving to divert blood to the skin for respiration. Crocodilians, however, have a four-chambered heart but are also capable of shunting pulmonary blood flow while diving. This evolutionary adaptation shows that animals only have what they have proven to need, making them very efficient in their design.
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it seems that these kinds of animals can prevent blood going throught the lung (pulmonary vein,artey)Can anyone clarify it please?
 
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Oxygenated blood returning from the lungs (into the left atrium) and deoxygenated blood returning from the body (into the right atrium) get mixed in the single ventricle, the ventricle then pumps part of this blood to the lungs and part to the rest of the body. This has the effect that the body will not get blood satured with oxygen but it is good enough even if it is less efficient than a four-chambered heart.
 
  • #3
The fact that these are cold-blooded animals and are not expending a lot of energy in heat production probably factors into this. Thus, reptiles* and amphibians can survive with a less efficient cardiac design. They are also able to shut off pulmonary artery flow to divert blood to the skin for cutaneous respiration during diving which may also compensate for a less efficient heart.

*The crocodilians are the exception to this design in the cold-blooded realm and have a four-chambered heart. However they are also capable of shunting pulmonary blood flow while diving. This anatomical setup is believed to be the http://jeb.biologists.org/cgi/content/abstract/186/1/269in any vertebrate.
 
  • #4
I guess this just goes to show that evolution is very thirfty. You only get what you proved (to nature) to need and not anymore.
 

1. How does having three chambers of heart benefit amphibians?

The three chambers of heart in amphibians allow for a more efficient separation of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood. This allows for better oxygenation and circulation throughout the body.

2. Do all amphibians have three chambers of heart?

No, not all amphibians have three chambers of heart. Some species, such as lungless salamanders, have two chambers of heart, while others, like crocodiles, have four chambers.

3. How does the three-chambered heart affect the amphibian's ability to survive in different environments?

The three-chambered heart allows amphibians to adapt to different environments, such as terrestrial and aquatic habitats. It allows for a more efficient exchange of gases and nutrients, making it easier for them to survive in these diverse environments.

4. Can amphibians with three-chambered hearts maintain a high level of physical activity?

Yes, amphibians with three-chambered hearts are able to maintain a high level of physical activity. The separation of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood allows for an efficient supply of oxygen to muscles, which is important for physical activity.

5. How does the three-chambered heart compare to the four-chambered heart of mammals?

The three-chambered heart of amphibians is less efficient than the four-chambered heart of mammals. This is because the four-chambered heart allows for complete separation of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood, resulting in a more efficient supply of oxygen to the body.

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