EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -The sand surrounding the turtle nest appears to determine the gas exchange of the eggs in the nest and is functionally analogous to the shell surrounding the chicken embryo. The female sea turtle may construct her nest so as the maximize its gas exchange and minimize gas partial pressure gradients inside the nest.

Detailed explanation-2: -Turtle embryos need oxygen to develop into baby turtles, and immersion in water prevents oxygen from the soil entering the eggs. The embryos effectively suffocate, a process known as “hypoxia”.

Detailed explanation-3: -Just like other reptiles, sea turtles have lungs. They have a slightly different structure than mammalian lungs, but work just as well when it comes to exchanging gases (oxygen and carbondioxide). The lungs are located right under the carapace and the vertebral column.

Detailed explanation-4: -For the eggs to survive and have a chance of hatching, sea turtles must lay their eggs on sandy beaches. As they are developing, the embryos breathe air through a membrane in the eggs, and so they cannot survive if they are continuously covered with water.