3.1.1 Exchange Surfaces Flashcards
What is the relationship between size of cube/organism and SA:V ratio?
As size increase, the SA:V ratio decreases
What is the SA:V of single celled organisms?
- Large SA:V ratio
- Sufficient diffusion across the cell membrane to meet the needs of the organism
What is the SA:V of multicellular organisms?
- Large multicellular organisms have a small SA:V ratio
- Not enough substances can diffuse in and out to supply the whole organism
- They have exchange surfaces (large SA to compensate) and transport systems (as distance between tissues and exchange surfaces increases)
What are the features of root hair cells?
Large surface area increases the rate of absorption of water by osmosis and minerals by active transport
What are the features of alveoli?
- Made of a single layer of flat cells (squamous epithelial cells) which provides a short diffusion distance
- A good blood supply maintains a concentration gradient by taking oxygen away
What are the features of an efficient exchange surface?
Thin - short diffusion pathway
Large surface area - lots of opportunity for exchange to occur and lots of substance can diffuse at once
Good blood supply - maintains concentration gradient
Moist - gases/soluble substances can dissolve
LAMBTV
What are the components of the mammalian gaseous exchange system?
Nasal cavity -> trachea -> bronchi -> lung -> bronchioles -> alveoli
- Pleural membrane
- Rib
- Intercostal muscles
- Diaphragm
What is the structure and function of the inside of the trachea?
- Goblet cells secrete mucus to trap microorganisms and dust
- Cilia waft mucus, trapped microorganisms and dust upwards towards the throat so that it can be swallowed and stomach acid can kill microbes
What is the structure of the trachea?
- C-shaped cartilage
- Elastic fibres
- Ciliated epithelium
- Smooth muscle
What is the structure of the bronchi?
- Small cartilage pieces interspersed with smooth muscle
- Elastic fibres
- Ciliated epithelium
What is the structure of the bronchioles?
- Smooth muscle and elastic fibres outer wall
- Ciliated epithelium (only some goblet cells
What is the structure of the alveoli?
- Elastic fibres
- Alveolar epithelium
- Next to capillaries
What is the function of cartilage?
- Strong and flexible
- Prevents collapsing when the pressure drops as you breathe in
What is the function of smooth muscle?
- Allows diameter to be controlled
- In trachea, bronchi and bronchioles
What is the function of the elastic fibres?
- Fibres are stretched when you breathe in
- They reoil to help push air out during exhalation
What is the mechanisms of inspiration?
- External intercostal muscles and the diaphragm contract
- Ribcage moves up and out, increasing the volume of the thorax
- Lung pressure decreases
- Air is forced into the lungs
Active process as it requires energy for muscle contraction