3.1 Exchange and Transport Flashcards
why do organisms need to exchange things with their environment
- need to take in things like oxygen and glucose for aerobic respiration and other metabolic activities
- need to excrete waste products from these reactions, such as CO2 and urea
- to every one of its cells
how do you calculate surface area to volume ratio
divide the surface area by the volume
as the size of an organism gets bigger, what happens to the SA:V ratio
it gets smaller
why do single-celled organisms not need exchange surfaces
- substances can diffuse directly in or out of the cell across the cell membrane, and they only have a small distance to travel
- they have a large SA:V ratio
- the metabolic activity is usually low, so O2 demands and CO2 production are low as well
why do bigger organisms need an exchange surface
- the rate of diffusion across the outer membrane is too slow:
1) some cells are very deep within the body, and there is a big distance between them and the outside environment
2) they have a lower (small) SA:V ratio, so difficult to exchange enough substances to supply the large volume through a relatively slow outer surface
3) they have a higher metabolic rate, so use up O2 and glucose, and excrete CO2 quicker
what is a main feature of mammalian and insect gas exchange systems
- need exchange of gases
- also need to reduce water loss
what are the adaptations of exchange surfaces to improve efficiency
- large surface area
- thin
- good blood supply
- ventilated well
explain increases surface area as an adaptation of an exchange surface
- provides area needed for exchange and overcomes the SA:V limitations of the organism, increasing rate
-e.g. root hair cells which grow into long hairs that stick out of the soil, with each branch covered in millions of these microscopic hairs - e.g. villi in small intestine
explain being thin as an exchange surface adaptation
- gives a short distance the substances have to travel to diffuse, so is fast and efficient (short diffusion pathway)
-e.g. the alveoli, where each air sac is made from a single, thin, flat layer of alveolar epithelium
explain having a good blood supply as an exchange surface adaptation
- steeper the concentration gradient, faster diffusion takes place
- good blood supply means substances are constantly delivered and removed from exchange surface, maintaining the steep gradient
explain ventilation as an exchange surface adaptation
- helps maintain concentration gradient and makes process efficient
explain how the alveoli and gills maintain a steep concentration gradient
alveoli:
- surrounded by large capillary network, so each alveolus has its own blood supply
- O2 always delivered, CO2 always removed
- also ventilated by breathing, so air is constantly replaced
gills:
- contain large network of capillaries, so well supplied with blood
- well ventilated, as fresh water constantly passes over them
explain the structure of the mammalian exchange system
- air enters via the trachea (windpipe) (via the larynx - voice box)
- trachea splits into 2 bronchi, each leading to each lung
- bronchus split off into smaller tubes called bronchioles
- bronchioles end in small air sacs called alveoli where gas is exchanged
- ribcage, intercostal muscles and diaphragm all work together to move air in and out, and pleural membrane surround lungs
what is the role of the nasal cavity
- large surface area and good blood supply, warming the air to body temperature
- hairy lining, secreting mucus and trapping bacteria
- moist surface, increasing humidity and reducing evaporation
- so air entering lungs is similar temp and humidity already
what are goblet cells
- in between and below ciliated epithelium cells
- secrete mucus
- trap microorganisms and dust particles in the inhaled air, stopping them from reaching the alveoli
what are cilia
- on the surface of the ciliated epithelium lining the bronchus
- beat the mucus
- move the mucus upward away from the alveoli towards the throat, where it is swallowed
- helps prevent lung infection
what and where are elastic fibres
- in the walls of the trachea, bronchus, bronchioles and alveoli
- help in the process of breathing out
- when breathing in, the lungs inflate and the elastic fibres are stretched
- then, the fibres recoil to help push the air out when exhaling
explain the role of smooth muscle
- walls of trachea, bronchi and bronchioles
- allow their diameter to be controlled
- during exercise, the smooth muscles relax, making the tube wider
- means less air resistance to airflow and air can move in and out of lungs more easily
explain the role of the rings of cartilage
- in the trachea and bronchus
- provide it support
- strong but flexible, stopping them from collapsing when you breath in and the pressure drops
- incomplete, so allows food to move easily to the oesophagus behind the trachea
what features does the trachea have
-large C shaped cartilage
- smooth muscle
- elastic fibres
- goblet cells
- ciliated epithelium