How Do You Spell CUTANEOUS RESPIRATION?

Pronunciation: [kjuːtˈe͡ɪni͡əs ɹˌɛspɪɹˈe͡ɪʃən] (IPA)

Cutaneous respiration is a biological process used by certain animals to breathe through their skin. The word "cutaneous" (kyoo-TEY-nee-uhs) refers to the skin, while "respiration" (resp-uh-REY-shuhn) refers to the exchange of gases in the body. The phonetic transcription reveals that the stress in "cutaneous" falls on the second syllable, and the "u" is pronounced like a "yoo" sound. Similarly, "respiration" has the stress on the third syllable, with the "i" pronounced like "ih." Proper spelling of scientific terminology like cutaneous respiration is important to ensure clear communication among scientists and researchers.

CUTANEOUS RESPIRATION Meaning and Definition

1. Cutaneous respiration refers to a type of respiration that occurs through the skin or cuticle of an organism, facilitating gas exchange with the external environment. In organisms possessing this mechanism, such as certain amphibians and invertebrates, respiration occurs not only through specialized respiratory organs, like lungs or gills, but also through the skin.

   The process of cutaneous respiration involves the diffusion of gases, particularly oxygen and carbon dioxide, across the moist outer layer of the skin. The skin serves as a respiratory surface, allowing for the exchange of gases between the internal tissues and the surrounding environment. Cutaneous respiration is more efficient in aquatic environments, where the skin remains moist, creating favorable conditions for gas exchange.

   In some animals, such as amphibians, the skin plays a crucial role in respiration, especially during certain life stages. For instance, frogs rely heavily on cutaneous respiration during their tadpole stage when they lack fully developed lungs. Similarly, certain invertebrates, like earthworms, perform cutaneous respiration to facilitate gas exchange as they lack dedicated respiratory organs.

   The overall effectiveness of cutaneous respiration depends on several factors, including the surface area of the skin, its moisture level, and the concentration gradient of gases between the organism and its environment. Physiological adaptations, such as thinning of the skin or the presence of specialized structures, can enhance the efficiency of cutaneous respiration in specific organisms.

   Overall, cutaneous respiration provides an important supplemental or primary means of gas exchange in certain organisms, enabling them to extract oxygen and eliminate carbon dioxide from their bodies through diffusion across their skin.

Etymology of CUTANEOUS RESPIRATION

The word "cutaneous respiration" is derived from two Latin roots: "cutaneous" and "respiration".

1. "Cutaneous" is derived from the Latin word "cutis", meaning "skin". The suffix "-eous" means "pertaining to", so "cutaneous" refers to something related to or occurring on the skin.

2. "Respiration" comes from the Latin word "respirare", which means "to breathe".

Therefore, "cutaneous respiration" refers to the process of breathing or gas exchange that occurs through the skin.