Earthworm Breathing: Skin Respiration Facts

Statement A suggests that Earthworms breathe through their skin and lack lungs.

• Earthworms are invertebrates primarily found in moist soil environments.
• They perform respiration using their entire body surface, specifically their skin.
• For this process, commonly known as cutaneous respiration, the earthworm's skin must remain moist. This allows gases like oxygen (O₂) from the environment to diffuse into the bloodstream and carbon dioxide (CO₂) to diffuse out.
• Earthworms do not possess lungs or similar specialized organs for breathing air.
• Therefore, Statement A is factually TRUE.

Tadpole Respiration: Gills and Lungs

Statement B proposes that Tadpoles breathe through gills and do not have lungs.

• Tadpoles are the larval stage of amphibians, like frogs. They live in aquatic environments.
• As aquatic organisms, tadpoles are equipped with gills to extract dissolved oxygen from the water.
• Lungs are not present in the tadpole stage; they develop later during metamorphosis as the tadpole transforms into an adult frog, which lives primarily on land and breathes air.
• Consequently, Statement B is factually TRUE regarding the tadpole's respiratory system.

Snake Respiration: Lungs and Skin

Statement C claims that Snakes breathe through their skin and do not possess lungs.

• Snakes belong to the class Reptilia. Like most reptiles, they are adapted to breathe atmospheric air using lungs.
• Their respiratory system includes nostrils, a trachea, and a pair of lungs (though sometimes one is reduced).
• Snake skin is typically covered in scales and is relatively dry, which prevents efficient gas exchange. Respiration in snakes occurs primarily via lungs, not through their skin.
• Therefore, Statement C is factually FALSE.

Statements A, B, C Analysis Summary

Let's summarize the accuracy of each statement based on biological facts:

• Statement A is TRUE: Earthworms respire through their moist skin and lack lungs.
• Statement B is TRUE: Tadpoles, in their larval stage, respire using gills and do not have lungs.
• Statement C is FALSE: Snakes are reptiles that breathe using lungs, not through their skin.

Based on this analysis, the statements confirmed as factually correct are A and B.