Question

Assertion (A): The rate of breathing in aquatic organisms is much faster than in terrestrial organisms.
Reason (R) :The amount of oxygen dissolved in water is very high as compared to the amount of oxygen in air.

• A. Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of the Assertion (A).
• B. Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of the Assertion (A).
• C. Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
• D. Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Evaluating the Assertion (A):
The assertion posits that aquatic organisms exhibit a significantly higher breathing rate than terrestrial organisms. This claim is accurate. Aquatic organisms must extract oxygen from water, a medium with substantially lower oxygen concentration compared to air. To meet their oxygen requirements, these organisms necessitate a faster breathing rate. Conversely, terrestrial organisms respire in air, where oxygen is more readily accessible.

Step 2: Evaluating the Reason (R):
The reason provided suggests that the concentration of dissolved oxygen in water is considerably higher than in air. This statement is factually incorrect. In reality, the oxygen content in water is markedly lower than in air. Air comprises approximately 21% oxygen, whereas water contains only a small fraction of this percentage, making oxygen acquisition more challenging for aquatic life.

Step 3: Determining the Correctness of the Statements:
- Assertion (A) is correct: The breathing rate of aquatic organisms is indeed substantially faster than that of terrestrial organisms, attributable to the diminished oxygen availability in water relative to air.
- Reason (R) is incorrect: The provided reason is flawed because the oxygen concentration in water is considerably less than in air, not greater.

Final Determination:
The accurate conclusion is: Assertion (A) is true, while Reason (R) is false.