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Diving mammals

Diving mammals uses 5 techniques

1. Change blood flow

  -send blood primary to the lung and heart
  -seal blood flow to the muscle goes to zero
  -tissues switch to anaerobic metabolism

2. Heart rate decreses
  -reduce oxygen demand in the heart

3. Blood composition changes (long term)
  -2x blood per unit mass
  -More blood goes to cells per unit volume

4. Exhale before dive
  -Help solve nitrogen problem (no bends)
  -No exchange takes place because air goes to the trachea and bronchi

5. Receptors sense presense of water
  -Prevent breathing, no open mouth under water.