Some animals have no gills when young, but then develop gills that grow larger as the animal grows larger. Which of the following statements provides the best explanation for this increase in gill size?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The increase in gill size as the animal grows is best explained by the fact that young animals, being smaller, have a relatively larger surface area compared to their volume, which allows them to efficiently transport oxygen across their body surfaces. As they grow, their volume increases faster than their surface area, necessitating larger gills to meet their oxygen needs.

Some Animals Have No Gills When Young, but Then Develop