3.1.2 - Transport in animals Flashcards
Give 4 reasons why specialist transport systems are needed
- Metabolic demands of most animals is high
- SA:V decreases as animal size increases so diffusion distances increase whilst SA available becomes relatively smaller
- Molecules need to be moved large distances
- Waste products of metabolism need to be removed from cells and transported to excretory systems
As an organism gets larger what happens to the diffusion distance ?
It gets larger
Why does a greater level of activity in an organism increase demand for glucose and oxygen ?
- More activity requires more energy
- More energy requires more aerobic respiration
- Which requires more reactants (oxygen and glucose)
Why does a greater volume of an organism mean a greater demand ?
- Greater volume means greater number of cells
- Each cell requires energy
- So demand for energy/glucose/oxygen increases
Define mass flow
The movement of fluids down a pressure or concentration gradient, from high to low
Define circulatory system
The transport system of an organism
Define open circulatory system
A transport system with a heart but with few vessels to contain the transport medium
Define closed circulatory system
The transport medium is enclosed in vessels and does not come into contact with the cells of the body
Define haemolymph
The blood like fluid contained in insects
Define single circulatory system
A circulatory system where the blood flows through the heart once during a complete circuit of the body
Define double circulatory system
A circulatory system where the blood flows through the heart twice during a complete circuit of the body
Define pulmonary circulation
The part of the circulatory system which carries deoxygenated blood away from the right ventricle of the heart to the lungs and returns oxygenated blood to the left atrium
Define systemic circulation
The part of the circulatory system which carries oxygenated blood away from the heart to the body and returns deoxygenated blood back to the heart
Give examples of organisms with a single closed circulatory system
- Fish
- Annelid worms
Give examples of organisms with a double closed circulatory system
- Birds
- Most mammals
Give an example of an organism with an open circulatory system
Insects
Why are fish able to be highly active despite having a single closed circulatory system ?
- The countercurrent exchange mechanism means they can take up a lot of O2 from water
- Their body weight is supported by the water
Why are single closed circulatory systems not very efficient ?
Blood pressure drops considerably so blood flows slowly back to the heart
Why are double closed circulatory systems very efficient ?
- Each circuit passes through only one capillary network this maintains relatively high blood pressure
- So fast flow of blood back to the heart is maintained
What are the general features of circulatory systems ?
- Fluid to transport dissolved gases, nutrients, and waste
- A pumping mechanism to move fluid
- Sometimes vessels to carry the fluid
How are open and closed circulatory systems different ?
- Blood is enclosed in vessels in a closed system but not in an open system
- In open systems, the fluid fills body cavities
- An open system is less efficient
What is an advantage of having an open circulatory system ?
Less vulnerable to pressure
What is an advantage of closed circulatory systems ?
More efficient
What is a disadvantage of open circulatory systems ?
Requires low metabolic rate so does not work for larger animals
What is a disadvantage of closed circulatory systems?
Requires more energy
What is the disadvantage of single circulatory systems ?
They are less efficient
What are the differences between single and double circulatory systems ?
- Blood goes through the heart once in one complete circuit in a single system and twice in a double system
- Single system has two sets of capillaries while double system has one set of capillaries
- Double system maintains a higher pressure than a single system
What is plasma?
Liquid component of blood
What is the function of plasma?
Transports dissolved substances
What does plasma transport ?
e.g glucose, amino acids, mineral ions, hormones, albumin and fibrinogens
Why is albumin important ?
It helps to maintain oncotic pressure
Why are fibrinogens important ?
They are involved in blood clotting
What are platelets?
Small fragments of cells
Which is the function of platelets?
Start the process of blood clotting
What triggers blood clotting?
- A rough surface
- Exposure to air
What are the functions of blood as a whole?
- Transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide to and from respiring cells
- Transport hormones
- Transport nitrogenous waste products from cells to excretory organs
- Transporting cells and antibodies involved in the immune response
- Helps to maintain steady body temperature
- Acts as a buffer to minimise pH change
What are the 3 layers of arteries called?
- Tunica intima
- Tunica media
- Tunica externa
What makes up the tunica intima of the arteries?
Squamous epithelial cells
What makes up the tunica media of the arteries?
Smooth muscle and elastic fibres
What makes up the tunica externa of the arteries?
Collagen
Why is the tunica intmia of arteries smooth?
So blood flows over it easily
What do the elastic fibres in the tunica media of the arteries do?
Stretch to receive blood and recoil between contractions of the heart which helps to maintain pressure and even out blood flow
They allow for elastic recoil
What is the function of collagen in the tunica externa of arteries?
Prevents blood vessels from bursting under high pressure
What are the functions of the arteries?
Carry oxygenated blood away from the heart apart from the pulmonary artery
What is blood flow into arteries like?
- High pressure
- Pulsatile
- Fast
Why do arteries need to maintain high pressure of the arteries?
So that blood can reach tissues in the body
What does contact of blood with artery walls cause?
- Friction
- Slows blood down
- Evens out pulsatile flow
What is the function of the arterioles?
Regulate the flow of blood into the capillaries
Do arterioles have a higher proportion of smooth muscle than arteries?
Yes
Why do arterioles have a lower proportion of elastin in their walls compared to arteries?
The blood flow isn’t very pulsatile
Why is blood slower in the arterioles?
Due to friction with the vessel walls
How does the slightly wider lumen in arterioles affect pressure?
Reduces it slightly
What is the function of the smooth muscle?
It is neurally stimulated to cause vasoconstriction or vasodilation which controls the flow of blood into capillaries
What is the function of capillaries?
To exchange substances between the blood and tissues
What is the advantage of capillaries being one cell thick?
Gives a short diffusion pathway