Science Learning Hub logo
TopicsConceptsCitizen scienceTeacher PLDGlossary
Sign in
Image

Obtaining oxygen

Diagram of sea stars (starfish) skin gills used to get oxygen

Sea stars don’t use gills or lungs to breathe. They rely on diffusion across surfaces in their body. For example, most oxygen is taken up from water that passes over their tube feet and papulae or skin gills. Skin gills are small projections near the base of the spines, usually on the topside.

Acknowledgement: University of Waikato

Glossary

Rights: The University of Waikato Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato
Published: 14 August 2017Size: 49.29 KB
Referencing Hub media

Explore related content

Appears inRelated resources

Interactive

Sea star adaptations – ventral view

Sea stars have many weird and wonderful adaptations - including some unusual internal systems. Click on any of the labels ...

Read more
Environmental conditions affecting the sea

Article

Environmental conditions affecting the sea

On land, the most important environmental conditions affecting organisms are rainfall and temperature. In our oceans, there are a number ...

Read more
Adrift

Citizen science

Adrift

Although invisible to the naked eye, marine microbes drift continually in our ocean systems, quietly consuming up to 50% of ...

Read more
Sea stars

Article

Sea stars

When is a fish not really a fish?

Read more

See our newsletters here.

NewsEventsAboutContact usPrivacyCopyrightHelp

The Science Learning Hub Pokapū Akoranga Pūtaiao is funded through the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment's Science in Society Initiative.

Science Learning Hub Pokapū Akoranga Pūtaiao © 2007-2025 The University of Waikato Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato