Hello
I'm doing a project on how whales circulatory and respiratory systems
compare to humans.
I'm ten years old and in grade five, I live in West Vancouver Canada. Do you
have any information you could help me with?
Yours Truly Jessie
********************
Hi Jessie,
I recommend that you look through the WhaleNet archives to see some previous
answers to questions like yours. If you look for information on diving
adaptations, breathing, etc., that should also help you in the archives. One
big difference between whales and humans is that whales are voluntary
breathers, while humans are involuntary breathers. This means that whales
have to actually think to themselves...I need a breath now. People breathe
without thinking about it. So, if you go to sleep at night, you are still
breathing. Whales have to be awake to breathe, so 1/2 the brain gets to
sleep, while the other part stays awake and thinks about breathing.
Good luck with your project! If you still have particular questions after
looking through the archives, I'd be happy to help you more.
Regards,
Dagmar Fertl
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