3.1 Adaptations for Gas Exchange Flashcards
gas exchange
process by which oxygen reaches the cells and carbon dioxide is removed from them
ventilation
the process of moving the respiratory medium (air or water) over the respiratory surface to maintain a concentration gradient
respiration
series of chemical reactions that results in the release of energy in the form of ATP
respiratory pigment
a molecules which increases the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood
e.g haemoglobin
tracheae
a system of branched chitin lined air tubes in insects
ends of tracheoles
site of gas exchange in insects
spiracles
holes in an insects exoskeleton which can open and close like valves to allow exchange of gases and reduce water loss which can lead to dehydration
gill lamellae
site of gas exchange in fish
alveoli
site of gas exchange in mammals
why is diffusion slower in larger organisms
the larger the organism the longer the diffusion pathway so the longer it takes for gases to reach the centre of the cell
unicellular organism that lives in water
amoeba
gas exchange in amoebas
extremely large SA:V occurs across whole cell membrane permeable membrane no specialised system required diffusion sufficient to meet oxygen requirements
multicellular organism that lives in water
flatworm
gas exchange in flatworms
increased SA:V due to flattened shape
short diffusion pathway
no specialised system
diffusion across membrane sufficient enough to meet oxygen requirements
multicellular organism that lives on land
earthworm
gas exchange in earthworms
tubular shape
live in damp environments
secret mucus to keep cells moist for gases to dissolve
elongated shape for large SA:V
blood vessels close to surface for easy diffusion
blood circulation maintains a concentration gradient
contain haemoglobin to carry oxygen to cells
why do larger organisms require specialised gas exchange organs (6 reasons)
- small SA:V
- diffusion insufficient
- more metabolically active
- long diffusion path
- method of circulation to distribute gases
- animals with toughened body surface need internal exchange surfaces
all respiratory surfaces must be…
- moist so gases can dissolve
- thin so there is short diffusion path
- permeable so gases can diffuse easily
- large SA:V so more room for diffusiont
gas exchange in insects
do not use blood to transport gases.
air diffuses into the insect through holes in the exoskeleton called spiracles.
the spiracles leas to branched air tubes lined with chitin called trachea.
the trachea branch into tracheoles.
how are the ends of trachioles adapted for gas exchange
they are filled with fluid to keep the gas exchange interface moist so gases can easily dissolve
what are the advantages of a tracheal system
- oxygen supplied directly to tissues
- no respiratory pigment needed
- oxygen diffuses faster in air than blood
- spiracles can close to reduce water loss and prevent dehydration