Additionally, in the instances like salamanders that absorb oxygen through their skin is this the same function?
In: Biology
The main issue is interface, which water provides in a much better way than anything else. Gills have the blood vessels all disposed in an array that allows the water to pass through, which in turn allows the oxygen to be captured by the oxygen-carrying molecules of the organism. Land crustaceans, like some crabs and woodlouses, also breathe through gills, secreting a liquid over the gills to capture the oxygen in the air
Salamanders start their life with gills, some never lose them, and some develop lungs but still keep the skin as a breathing interface… but it needs to be always wet.
More concisely, just about anything living needs water in some way to work (specially if involves proteins) , and breathing is such a case.
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