The difference between aquatic and terrestrial respiration is as follows:
| Aquatic respiration |
Terrestrial respiration |
| Occurs in organisms living in water |
Occurs in land organisms |
| Involve oxygen which is dissolved in water |
Does not involved dissolved oxygen |
| Main respiratory organ is gills |
Main respiratory organ is generally lungs |
| Gills are tough and spiny |
Lungs are moist, slippery and soft. |
| Breathing rate is comparatively higher |
Breathing rate is comparatively lower |
