Diving mammals

Diving mammals uses 5 techniques

1. Change blood flow

  -send blood primary to the lung and heart
  -seal blood flow to the muscle goes to zero
  -tissues switch to anaerobic metabolism

2. Heart rate decreses

  -reduce oxygen demand in the heart

3. Blood composition changes (long term)

  -2x blood per unit mass
  -More blood goes to cells per unit volume

4. Exhale before dive

  -Help solve nitrogen problem (no bends)
  -No exchange takes place because air goes to the trachea and bronchi

5. Receptors sense presense of water

  -Prevent breathing, no open mouth under water.