Skip to main content
Ch. 42 - Circulation and Gas Exchange
Chapter 42, Problem 5

One feature that amphibians and humans have in common is a. the number of heart chambers. b. a complete separation of circuits for circulation. c. the number of circuits for circulation. d. a low blood pressure in the systemic circuit.

Verified Solution

Video duration:
1m
This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above.
Was this helpful?

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Heart Chambers

Both amphibians and humans possess a heart with multiple chambers, which is crucial for efficient circulation. Humans have a four-chambered heart, consisting of two atria and two ventricles, allowing for complete separation of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood. In contrast, amphibians typically have a three-chambered heart, which includes two atria and one ventricle, leading to some mixing of blood but still facilitating a degree of separation.
Recommended video:
Guided course
05:13
Heart Physiology

Circulatory Systems

The circulatory system in both amphibians and humans is designed to transport blood throughout the body, but they differ in complexity. Humans have a double circulatory system, where blood passes through the heart twice during one complete circuit, ensuring efficient oxygen delivery. Amphibians have a simpler system with a single circuit for pulmonary and systemic circulation, which can lead to lower efficiency in oxygen transport.
Recommended video:
Guided course
02:15
Lymphatic System

Blood Pressure

Blood pressure refers to the force exerted by circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels. In humans, the systemic circuit operates at a higher pressure to ensure effective blood flow to all body tissues. Amphibians, however, generally have lower blood pressure in their systemic circuit due to their three-chambered heart and the mixing of blood, which can affect their overall metabolic efficiency and activity levels.
Recommended video:
Guided course
16:12
Blood Pressure