Operculum: The operculum is the bony flap that protects the gills from harm. It opens and closes to allow water to pass over the gills.
Why is the operculum in bony fish important?
The operculum is a hard, plate-like, bony flap that covers the gills of a bony fish (superclass: Osteichthyes). It protects the gills and also serves a role respiration. Fish can acquire dissolved oxygen through pumping water over their gills by opening and closing their jaws and opercula.
What happens to the operculum in fish?
Operculum in Fish
It opens and closes in order to allow water to pass over the gills through water current pressure. When the fish opens its mouth, the operculum will close over the gills, drawing water through the mouth and across the gill filaments, which absorbs oxygen from the water.
What is operculum in biology?
The operculum is seen as a bony flap providing the covering of the gills mainly in Osteichthyes. It performs back and forth movement for water to move over the gills, thereby allowing the fish to breathe. It also serves the function of providing protection against the sensitive parts of the fish.
Why is the operculum located near the head of the fish?
Located on either side of a fish’s head, gills remove oxygen from the water and diffuse carbon dioxide from the body. The gills are covered by a flexible bony plate called the operculum. Some fish have spines located on the operculum as a defense mechanism to protect them from predators.
Why do some fish have operculum flaps to cover their gills?
Bony fish also have an operculum. The operculum is a bony flap of skin over their gills that protects the gills. It opens and closes to help bony fish breathe when they are not swimming.
Do all fish have an operculum?
All fish having gills are not covered by operculum. Operculum is present in bony fish, hence forms gill covering for bony fish. Operculum is series of bones. It provides facial structure to bony fish.
What is the operculum made of?
The most common kind of operculum is composed of a thin to rather thick corneous protein material, which is yellow to brownish in color and is usually somewhat translucent. This matter is supple when in its natural state but may become brittle when it is dried out.
Which type of fish do not have operculum?
Cartilagenous fishes
Cartilagenous fishes lack an operculum. Q. In cartilaginous fishes, gill slits are covered by an operculum.
Which class of fish generally lacks an operculum?
Cartilaginous fish
CLASS CHONDRICHTHYES: Cartilaginous fish
The external opening of the gill slits lacks a cover or ‘operculum’.
Which of the following fishes have gills without operculum?
In cartilaginous fishes, gill slits are separate and without operculum (gill cover).