Avian Resp Quiz

What is the role of the gizzard?

• grinds food

• stores and softens food

• secretes protein enzymes for digestion

Answer explanation

The gizzard is the second part of the birds stomach, it's specialised constructed of thick, muscular walls to grind food often aided by grit/small stones consumed.

What is the role of the crop?

• stores and softens food

• assists in the production of eggs

• grinds food

Answer explanation

It comes after the esophagus. It's an enlarged muscular pouch near the throat acting as food storage. Not all avian species have one. Some examples- poultry, parrots, raptors do, owls don't.

What do birds have uniquely in their respiratory systems?

Answer explanation

Gas exchange occurs in air sacs, they increase efficiency by providing a larger surface area for gas exchange.

Avian respiratory systems lack a diaphragm

• true

• false

Answer explanation

Birds have no diaphragm and their lungs do not inflate. Instead they entirely move their ribcage and expand abdominal muscles to inhale. Pressure changes in the air sacs also facilitate this.

How many air sacs do birds have?

• 7

• 8

• 9

• 6

Answer explanation

Air sacs facilitate gas exhange to supplement (provide extra), they mainly send an unidirectional flow of air to the lungs for further gas exchange.

How many full respiratory/expiratory cycles do birds have?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Answer explanation

Air passes twice through the lungs via 'double respiration'- they have the opportunity to get twice the ammount of oxygen, enabling greater energy.