Question:

Sharks achieve buoyancy by means of

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To stay afloat, sharks must use two strategies:
1. Static lift: Provided by their squalene-rich liver.
2. Dynamic lift: Provided by their heterocercal tail and wing-like pectoral fins.
  • Gas bladder
  • Air sac
  • Large fat-filled liver
  • Blubber
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Most teleosts (bony fishes) utilize a gas-filled swim bladder to achieve neutral buoyancy.
However, cartilaginous fishes (Chondrichthyes) lack a swim bladder and have evolved alternative hydrostatic mechanisms.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

Sharks possess a massive, multi-lobed liver that can constitute up to \(20\text{--}25\%\) of their total body weight.
This liver is saturated with low-density lipids and oils, particularly squalene (which has a specific gravity of \(0.86\), much lower than seawater).
This oil-rich liver reduces the overall density of the shark's body, helping it achieve buoyancy and stay afloat.

Step 3: Final Answer:

Sharks achieve buoyancy through their large fat-filled liver, which is option (C).
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