Question:

Underwater turtles respire with the help of ______.

Show Hint

Some aquatic turtles take up dissolved oxygen through sacs connected to the end of the digestive tract.
Updated On: Nov 12, 2026
  • plasma membrane
  • internal gills
  • spiracles
  • cloaca
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Concept
Turtles are reptiles that breathe air through lungs, but some aquatic species can stay submerged for a long time.

Step 2: Extra respiratory route
They have thin-walled, highly vascular sacs called bursae that open into the cloaca. Water is pumped in and out and dissolved oxygen diffuses into the blood. This is cloacal respiration.

Step 3: Other options
Internal gills and spiracles occur in fishes and insects, and plasma membrane respiration is seen at the cell level.

Final Answer:
Underwater turtles respire with the help of the cloaca. \[ \boxed{\text{(D) }\text{cloaca}} \]
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