Sea Fish: Osmosis & Pressure in the Deep

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the effects of osmosis and pressure on deep-sea fish, particularly focusing on how these fish manage to survive in the salty and high-pressure environment of the ocean depths. Participants explore the physiological adaptations of deep-sea fish and the implications of pressure differences.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that water leaves fish in salty sea water due to osmosis, questioning how deep-sea fish cope with high pressure that might force water into their bodies.
  • Another participant argues that the shape and adaptations of deep-sea fish allow them to survive in high-pressure environments, questioning the initial concern about their survival.
  • A third participant explains that deep-sea fish are pressurized internally to match external pressure, preventing them from being crushed, and notes that rapid ascent can lead to bursting due to pressure differences.
  • Further inquiries are made about what generates internal pressure in fish and whether their shape contributes to their ability to withstand external pressure.
  • One participant mentions that deep-sea fish have adaptations that allow them to equalize pressure, similar to techniques used by scuba divers.
  • Another participant compares the internal pressure of deep-sea fish to the atmospheric pressure experienced by humans, suggesting a parallel in understanding pressure dynamics.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the implications of pressure and osmosis for deep-sea fish, with no consensus reached on the specifics of how these factors interact or the mechanisms involved.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the physiological mechanisms of deep-sea fish and the effects of pressure are not fully explored, leaving room for further clarification and discussion.

Evil
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juz wondering...in the sea water is salty so water leave the fish by osmosis rite?
wat about fish at the very deep..wont the pressure force the water into the fish causing them to die?
 
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I don't think so , the shape deep sea fish are allows them to live in that area , also , I don't see any reason for deep sea fish to die ?!
Can you explain your point of view please.
 
Evil (nice username) raises some very interesting questions.

In general, salt water fish are either water tight, or that their cells are more concentrated solutions than their fresh water counterparts, so their cells do not end up being dessicated.

Deep water fish are pressurised. Because the internal pressure of the fish is the same as the external pressure, they are not crushed by the water outside. An interesting point to note that many deep water organisms "burst" when brought up too rapidly from the depths - the pressure difference becomes so big they literally explode.

At least, that's what I remember reading on this.
 
so wat generate the great pressure within the fish?
deep Sea has a very great pressure and does the shape of the fish help in any way?
 
Originally posted by Evil
so wat generate the great pressure within the fish?
deep Sea has a very great pressure and does the shape of the fish help in any way?

yes, their bodies are meant to withstand tons of pounds per square inch and also i believe they have a system of equalizing their pressure to that of the outside pressure. (like a scuba diver does by blowing hard on his nose while pinching it closed)
 
Originally posted by Evil
so wat generate the great pressure within the fish?

that's the same as asking how do you generate a pressure of aprox. 101000 (N/m^2) inside your body...
 

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