3. Explain the evolutionary advancement of respiratory systems in animal phyla in terms of size of the respiratory surface. As part of your answer, discuss the individual adaptations of four animal phyla.

Question

3.	Explain the evolutionary advancement of respiratory systems in animal phyla in terms of size of the respiratory surface. As part of your answer, discuss the individual adaptations of four animal phyla.

anonymous · Answer

The rate of diffusion is proportional to the surface area over which a gas is diffusion (as well as some other variables...See Fick's Law of Diffusion for more info!)

As for your phyla... For arthroprods - try googling Malphigian Tubules. For cnidarians - the gastrovascular cavity. Chordates - so many good ones to choose from! Fish (gills), Humans (lungs), etc. 

Apologies for the not-so-detailed reply, but if you have a more specific question though about one of these, I'd be glad to help out.