Snails are gastropod mollusks and most of them have a coiled shell. They are found in fresh and salt water environments and on land. Most snails breathe through a hole in the right side of their body called a pneumostome.
The pneumostome is connected to the snail’s respiratory system which consists of the mantle cavity and a series of tubes called palps. The mantle cavity is a fluid-filled space that contains the snail’s heart and reproductive organs. The palps are branching tubes that extend from the mantle cavity to the snail’s head.
Respiration in snails occurs through diffusion. Diffusion is the process by which molecules move from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration. In the case of snail respiration oxygen diffuses from the water or air into the snail’s mantle cavity.
Once in the mantle cavity the oxygen diffuses into the blood vessels and then to the cells of the snail’s body. The cells use the oxygen to break down food molecules and produce energy. Carbon dioxide a waste product of cellular respiration diffuses from the cells into the blood vessels and then into the mantle cavity.
From the mantle cavity the carbon dioxide diffuses into the water or air. This exchange of gases continues as long as the snail is alive. If a snail is removed from the water it will eventually die from suffocation.
How do snails breathe?
Snails breathe through a holes in their sides called pneumostomes.
They open and close these holes using special muscles and the holes are kept moist by mucus.
How many pneumostomes do snails have?
Snails typically have one pair of pneumostomes although some species can have up to four pairs.
What is the mucus that covers the pneumostomes used for?
The mucus helps to keep the pneumostomes moist and also protects them from dirt and debris.
How does the mucus keep the pneumostomes moist?
The mucus is produced by the snail’s body and secreted onto the pneumostomes.
It acts as a barrier to keep moisture in and dirt and debris out.
What is the function of the special muscles that open and close the pneumostomes?
The special muscles are used to regulate the amount of air that the snail takes in.
They open the pneumostomes when the snail needs to breathe and close them when the snail doesn’t need to breathe.
How does the snail know when to open and close the pneumostomes?
The snail’s body is sensitive to changes in oxygen levels in the environment.
When the oxygen levels drop the snail’s body signals the special muscles to open the pneumostomes so that the snail can breathe.
What happens when the special muscles don’t work properly?
If the special muscles don’t work properly the snail can’t breathe and will eventually die.
What do snails need oxygen for?
Snails need oxygen for their metabolism.
What is metabolism?
Metabolism is the process by which the snail’s body breaks down food and produces energy.
How does the snail’s body use oxygen during metabolism?
The snail’s body uses oxygen to break down food into energy.
What happens if the snail can’t get enough oxygen?
If the snail can’t get enough oxygen it will die.
Do all snails breathe in the same way?
No not all snails breathe in the same way.
Some land snails have a lung and breathe air while other land snails have a gill and breathe water.
How do land snails with a lung breathe?
Land snails with a lung breathe by taking in air through their pneumostomes and then exchanging gas between the air in their lung and the blood in their body.
How do land snails with a gill breathe?
Land snails with a gill breathe by taking in water through their pneumostomes and then exchanging gas between the water in their gill and the blood in their body.
What is the difference between land snails with a lung and land snails with a gill?
The difference between land snails with a lung and land snails with a gill is that land snails with a lung breathe air and land snails with a gill breathe water.
