Question

Describe some respiratory and cardiovascular adaptations enabling dolphins to stay underwater for long periods of time.

(The longer the answer, the better! THANK YOU! :))

Answer 1

Respiratory and cardiovascular adaptations enabling dolphins to stay underwater for long periods of time - Slow their heart beat. Stop their breathing and rely on internal oxygen stores , Shunt blood flow from their extremities to the heart, muscles and brain which require constant supply of oxygen, when initiating a dive. Muscles contain myoglobin, positively charged oxygen binding proteins which helps in holding breath for longer periods of time.

The average dolphin species can stay upto 8 to 10 minutes, and some can hold upto 15 minutes. Blowhole is a single covered by muscular flap on the top surface of its head that is used for breathing, keeping water out of lungs ( by providing watertight seal ).

Dolphins inhale only at the surface