How deep-sea creatures survive?
How the organisms living in the deep ocean can withstand the pressure of the water? Deep-sea creatures are a group of organisms that live in the deepest parts of the ocean and are adapted to life under extreme environmental conditions. The abyssal zone encompasses the portion of the ocean floor located below 6,000 meters. Deep-sea creatures have remarkable adaptations that allow them to survive the crushing water pressure thousands of feet below the ocean surface. Here’s how they do it: Before diving, many deep-sea animals exhale most of the air in their lungs, retaining only about 10% of the oxygen. Their lungs collapse under pressure, minimizing air pockets and reducing available oxygen. Some creatures slow their heart rate (as low as 4 beats per minute) or stop breathing temporarily. Reduced movement, such as gliding instead of swimming, conserves oxygen. Certain deep-sea organisms, like giant amphipods and Mariana snailfish, have piezolytes. These organic molecules prevent cellular...