Countercurrent heat exchange

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Countercurrent heat exchange is a mechanism that allows for efficient transfer of heat between two fluids flowing in opposite directions. It can be found in large, rapidly swimming fish such as tunas, swordfish, and salmon. This mechanism allows some fish, known as "hot" fish, to maintain body temperatures that are higher than the surrounding water temperature, which can improve their swimming performance. Countercurrent heat exchange also moves warm blood coming from the muscles past cold blood flowing into the muscles, which helps to conserve heat and reduce heat loss. In this way, countercurrent heat exchange can increase a fish's sustainable power output threefold for every 10°C rise in muscle temperature.

Countercurrent Heat Exchange