It has been calculated that the maximum possible thickness of a planarian that lives in well-oxygenated water is 1 mm. Explain why
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This is due to time taken for diffusion. Most plants and lower animals depend on diffusion for gaseous uptake. The problem is that, diffusion is not very time efficient and it takes a long time for gases to travel short distances via diffusion. Thus, in complex animals like higher vertebrates, a molecule of gas might take years to go from head to feet.
SO, maximum possible thickness allowed for a planarian is 1mm, beyond which the diffused gases will take longer time to reach necessary cells. This causes deficiency of oxygen in concerned cells causing the organism to die.
(Time taken by O2 to travel 1mm ≈ 4min)
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