[Campbell Biology P.970] According to the description of Figure 42.1, what is a key characte... | Practice Question

According to the description of Figure 42.1, what is a key characteristic of axolotls related to gas exchange, and what does it illustrate about biological processes?

  • A: They possess internal lungs, demonstrating how all adult animals primarily use lungs for gas exchange.
  • B: They have feathery red external gills, which illustrates a common process of substance exchange between body cells and the environment.
  • C: Their specialized skin allows them to exchange gases, showing an alternative to gills or lungs only found in amphibians.
  • D: Axolotls are unique in that they do not perform gas exchange with the environment, relying solely on internal processes.

Explanation

Figure 42.1's description states: 'The feathery red appendages jutting out from its head are gills. External gills, although uncommon in other adult animals, help axolotls carry out a process common to all organisms: the exchange of substances between body cells and the environment.' This directly matches option B.