Environmental effects on fish gill structure and function

摘要: Aquatic habitats are remarkably diverse with respect to the chemical and physical properties of water. For example, salinity may vary between full-strength seawater near distilled water while pH differ by as much 6.0 units. Furthermore, aquatic environments, especially freshwater ecosystems, typically unstable characterized marked natural fluctuations temperature, pH, oxygen, carbon dioxide, dissolved ions. The ability fish inhabit these oscillating environments arises from a variety adaptive physiological mechanisms. Owing location gill external internal its crucial role in gas transfer, acid-base balance, ionic regulation, changes branchial function important. In many instances, compensatory adjustments originate profound morphological changes. Generally, environmental considered be adaptive, although certain instances actually impaired. Moreover, owing multi-functional nature gill, amelioration particular might compromise another.