The gill rakers of fishes take part in

The gill rakers of fishes take part in feeding. Gill rakers are bony or cartilaginous structures that project from the gill arches into the pharyngeal cavity of fish. They act as a filter to prevent food particles from escaping through the gills while allowing water to pass over them for respiration. The gill rakers trap food particles such as plankton, detritus, and other small organisms that are suspended in the water as the fish ingests it. The trapped food particles are then transported to the digestive tract where they are broken down and absorbed. In summary, gill rakers are important structures that enable fish to feed by filtering food particles from the water as it passes over their gills.