Theory 45/Biology & physiology/Aquatic respiration
Gills Are Surface Against Demand
The claim
The maximum metabolic rate of an aquatic animal is set by the ratio of gill surface area to oxygen demand, so warming water lowers it by raising demand.
01Mechanism
Oxygen is less soluble in warm water while demand rises; the ratio sets the ceiling.
02Prediction
Maximum rate should track the ratio.
03Refutation
Maximum rate tracking body mass would remove solubility.