Difference between tadpole and an adult frog
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he long tail and lack of limbs are among the most striking differences between tadpoles and adult frogs, but other characteristics are also different. The jaw and skull structure of the tadpole varies greatly from that of the adult frog. ... As tadpoles grow, limbs begin to appear as their paddle-like tail recedes.
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Structural appearance of tadpoles
Baby frogs are known as tadpoles or pollywogs. Unlike adult frogs, they very commonly look like fish and lack limbs. Instead they have long, paddle-like tails that allow them to move and survive in water. As they grow, their physical characteristics change at different stages of their life cycle together with their behavioural patterns and feeding habits [1]. As time passes, their body begins to change into a young adult. The tail used for paddling reduces in size and limbs begin to develop. At first, rear legs will form followed by front limbs. The jaw and skull structure is also distinctly different in tadpoles. In terms of their skull, they have cartilage instead of a hardened bony structure as adult frogs do. They also possess smaller teeth that allow them to chew plants and organic matter during feeding [2]. As tadpoles grow in size, their head structure begins to change, leading to the development of a more defined jaw and the formation of a tongue. In addition, the gills make way for the lungs and the intestines shorten in length in order to adapt to the diet of adult frogs. Tadpoles are also known to have a two chambered heart and a single loop of vessels.
Structural appearance of frogs
While tadpoles lack limbs and possess longtails, adult frogs on the other hand have two hind limbs and two fore limbs. The hind limbs are exceptionally powerful and this, together with their webbed feet helps them to jump great distances and swim. Adult frogs have a more developed bony skull and form a defined tongue that can be used for feeding. The tongue is muscular and replaces the teeth. Adult frogs have a three chambered heart and two loops of vessels which develop over time as well as lungs to aid breathing.
Respiration in tadpoles
Since tadpoles only swim in water and cannot survive on land, they have gills to help them breathe. Tadpoles open their mouths as they swim and take in water. As they close their mouths, muscles transfer water to the gills. The gills consist of small membranes or flaps called lamellae which extract oxygen from the water as it passes over them. This oxygen then enters the blood stream via diffusion. Tadpoles can also swim to the water surface and take in oxygen from the air. Over time, the tadpoles grow and mature and the gills are adsorbed by the body followed by the development of other respiratory organs and systems.
Respiration in frogs
Respiration in frogs can occur in one of three ways, namely through cutaneous respiration which occurs through the skin, through buccopharyngeal respiration which occurs through the lining of the mouth and through pulmonary respiration which occurs through the lungs [2]. Cutaneous respiration occurs through the skin which is fairly thin. The skin also contains blood vessels and capillaries that are located fairly close to the surface. The skin of frogs is almost always moist due glands which produce mucus. This mucus keeps the skin moist and allows oxygen in the air to be adsorbed into the skin and diffused into the blood stream. This form of respiration is used mainly during hibernation periods but not during the breeding season. Buccopharyngeal respiration occurs when frogs are not submerged in water. The lining of the mouth is quite moist and as such oxygen can be taken in similarly as it is taken in via the skin. Oxygen is dissolved into the blood stream and subsequently enters the blood capillaries through diffusion. Pulmonary respiration occurs via the lungs however these lungs in adult frogs are fairly underdeveloped. Frogs do not possess diaphragms to regulate air pressure within the lungs. Instead they use their mouth, nostrils and gullet to push the air in and out of the lungs. Respiration via lungs is usually done when oxygen via cutaneous respiration.
Baby frogs are known as tadpoles or pollywogs. Unlike adult frogs, they very commonly look like fish and lack limbs. Instead they have long, paddle-like tails that allow them to move and survive in water. As they grow, their physical characteristics change at different stages of their life cycle together with their behavioural patterns and feeding habits [1]. As time passes, their body begins to change into a young adult. The tail used for paddling reduces in size and limbs begin to develop. At first, rear legs will form followed by front limbs. The jaw and skull structure is also distinctly different in tadpoles. In terms of their skull, they have cartilage instead of a hardened bony structure as adult frogs do. They also possess smaller teeth that allow them to chew plants and organic matter during feeding [2]. As tadpoles grow in size, their head structure begins to change, leading to the development of a more defined jaw and the formation of a tongue. In addition, the gills make way for the lungs and the intestines shorten in length in order to adapt to the diet of adult frogs. Tadpoles are also known to have a two chambered heart and a single loop of vessels.
Structural appearance of frogs
While tadpoles lack limbs and possess longtails, adult frogs on the other hand have two hind limbs and two fore limbs. The hind limbs are exceptionally powerful and this, together with their webbed feet helps them to jump great distances and swim. Adult frogs have a more developed bony skull and form a defined tongue that can be used for feeding. The tongue is muscular and replaces the teeth. Adult frogs have a three chambered heart and two loops of vessels which develop over time as well as lungs to aid breathing.
Respiration in tadpoles
Since tadpoles only swim in water and cannot survive on land, they have gills to help them breathe. Tadpoles open their mouths as they swim and take in water. As they close their mouths, muscles transfer water to the gills. The gills consist of small membranes or flaps called lamellae which extract oxygen from the water as it passes over them. This oxygen then enters the blood stream via diffusion. Tadpoles can also swim to the water surface and take in oxygen from the air. Over time, the tadpoles grow and mature and the gills are adsorbed by the body followed by the development of other respiratory organs and systems.
Respiration in frogs
Respiration in frogs can occur in one of three ways, namely through cutaneous respiration which occurs through the skin, through buccopharyngeal respiration which occurs through the lining of the mouth and through pulmonary respiration which occurs through the lungs [2]. Cutaneous respiration occurs through the skin which is fairly thin. The skin also contains blood vessels and capillaries that are located fairly close to the surface. The skin of frogs is almost always moist due glands which produce mucus. This mucus keeps the skin moist and allows oxygen in the air to be adsorbed into the skin and diffused into the blood stream. This form of respiration is used mainly during hibernation periods but not during the breeding season. Buccopharyngeal respiration occurs when frogs are not submerged in water. The lining of the mouth is quite moist and as such oxygen can be taken in similarly as it is taken in via the skin. Oxygen is dissolved into the blood stream and subsequently enters the blood capillaries through diffusion. Pulmonary respiration occurs via the lungs however these lungs in adult frogs are fairly underdeveloped. Frogs do not possess diaphragms to regulate air pressure within the lungs. Instead they use their mouth, nostrils and gullet to push the air in and out of the lungs. Respiration via lungs is usually done when oxygen via cutaneous respiration.
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