3A Exchange Flashcards
What is surface area?
The total area of the organism that is exposed to the external environment
What is volume?
The total internal volume of the organism (total amount of space inside the organism)
What happens to SA:V ratio when the overall size of an object increases and why?
It decreases because volume increases more rapidly than surface area
What benefits does a high SA:V have?
Large SA allows maximum absorption of nutrients and gases and secretion of gas products. Small V means the diffusion distance to all organelles is short
What happens as SA:V decreases?
Less SA for absorption of nutrients and gases and secretion of waste products, greater V results in longer diffusion distance to cells and tissues of the organism
What adaptations do large organisms have to facilitate exchange of substances to their environment?
A variety of specialised cells, tissues, organs and systems eg. gas exchange system, circulatory system, lymphatic system, urinary system, xylem and phloem
Which type of organisms don’t have transport systems and why?
Very small organisms eg. bacteria, protoctists and some worms. Their bodies are so small or so flat that they can rely on diffusion alone to get oxygen and release carbon dioxide
Give examples of very small organisms without transport systems
Amoeba (protoctista) and Cholera (prokaryotes/bacteria)
Why is the supply of oxygen important in organisms?
Organisms require ATP in order to carry out the biochemical processes required for survival. The majority of ATP is produced through aerobic respiration which requires oxygen
Why is the removal of carbon dioxide important in organisms?
Carbon dioxide is a toxic waste product of aerobic respiration, if it accumulates in cells/tissues it alters the pH
How does diffusion time increase when volume of a microorganism increases?
Chlamydomonas 20μm = 100 milliseconds for diffusion across 10μm radius
If it were 20μm diameter it would take 400 milliseconds for diffusion so it increases substantially
What is basal metabolic rate?
The metabolic rate of an organism when at rest. The BMR is significantly lower than when an organism is actively moving.
How can BMR be measured/estimated?
- oxygen consumption
- carbon dioxide production
- heat production
How are body mass and BMR of an organism related?
As mass gets greater, so does BMR. Therefore, a rhino consumes more oxygen in a period of time than a mouse.
How is SA:V ratio related to the BMR of an organism?
The BMR per unit of body mass is higher in smaller animals because they have a higher SA:V ratio so they lose more heat
Which different apparatus can be used for investigating metabolic rates in organisms?
- respirometers
- oxygen/carbon dioxide probes
- calorimeters
What do effective exchange surfaces in organisms have?
- large surface area
- short diffusion distance
- concentration gradient (maintained)
What do all insects possess?
A rigid exoskeleton with a waxy coating that is impermeable to gases.
What have insects evolved?
A breathing system that delivers oxygen directly to all organs and tissues of their bodies
What is a spiracle?
An opening in the exoskeleton of an insect which has valves.
What does a spiracle allow?
Allows air to enter the insect and flow into the system of tracheae
What are tracheae?
Tubes within the insect breathing system which lead to tracheoles (narrower tubes)
How do the tracheae in an insect stay open?
There are rings of cartilage that keep them open
Where is there a lot of tracheoles in insects and why?
A large number of tracheoles run between cells and into the muscle fibres - the site of gas exchange
In smaller insects, how does the tracheal system provide oxygen?
Sufficient oxygen is provided via diffusion in smaller insects
What is different in very active, flying insects’ tracheal systems compared to small insects?
Very active, flying insects need a more rapid supply/intake of oxygen. They create a mass flow of air into the system by:
- closing the spiracles
- using muscles to create a pumping movement for ventilation
What occurs during the flight of insects in their tracheoles?
The water found at the narrow ends of the tracheoles is drawn into the respiring muscle (by osmosis) so gas diffuses across quicker
What is the difference between a dicotyledonous plant and a monocotyledonous plant?
The first leaf in a monocotyledonous plant is just one eg. grass, however there is two leaves in the first germination of a dicotyledonous plant eg. roses or magnolias
Why must plants have adequate carbon dioxide?
In order to carry out photosynthesis, leaves have adaptations to aid uptake of carbon dioxide
Why do leaves of plants need adaptations to aid uptake of carbon dioxide?
The atmosphere is only made of around 0.036% carbon dioxide so efficient gas exchange is necessary
Describe the function of a plant’s waxy cuticle
Reduces water loss from the leaf and plant in general
Describe the function of a plant’s upper epidermis
Layer of tightly packed cells that protects the leaf and aids in reducing water loss also
Describe the function of a plant’s palisade mesophyll layer
A layer of elongated cells containing chloroplasts in which most of the photosynthesis occurs in a leaf
Describe the function of a plant’s spongy mesophyll layer
A layer of cells that contains a network of air spaces that allows for gas exchange and flow of gases needed for photosynthesis
Describe the function of a plant’s stomata
Pores (usually on the underside) which allow air to enter and exit the leaf
Describe the function of a plant’s guard cells
They open and close the stomata to prevent water loss
Describe the function of a plant’s lower epidermis
The underside of the leaf containing guard cells and stomata which allow carbon dioxide and oxygen to enter and exit respectively as well as releasing excess water
Describe the mechanism of leaves in a dicotyledonous plant
- when guard cells are turgid (full of water) the stoma remains open allowing air to enter
- the air spaces within the spongy mesophyll allow carbon dioxide to rapidly diffuse into cells
- carbon dioxide is used up in photosynthesis by cells containing chloroplasts: MAINTAINS CONCENTRATION GRADIENT
- no active ventilation is required as thinness of the plant tissues and the presence of stomara helps to create a short diffusion pathway
Describe the structure of stoma
- small pores mainly on the underside of the leaf
- surrounded by guard cells
- most open during the day and close at night
- some show a constant rhythm of opening and closing even when kept in constant conditions
Why do stoma generally close?
When a plant suffers water stress
What may be different in desert plants’ stoma?
They open at night and close during the day
What do stoma do?
They control the flow of gases and evaporation of water by opening and closing
What exchange is essential for the survival of organisms?
The exchange of gases from the atmosphere, oxygen for respiration and carbon dioxide for photosynthesis
Describe some vital functions of water
- it’s a solvent that facilitates transport of essential nutrients
- extreme water loss can lead to death
Why does there need to be compromises between adaptations for gas exchange and minimal water loss?
Scientists have observed that adaptations in organisms that reduce water loss negatively affect gas exchange and vice versa
What are small ground insects prone to and why?
- prone to drying out
- surrounded by air
What do insects have that makes gas exchange difficult?
- insects have a rigid, waterproof exoskeleton that prevents water loss
- water proof waxy coating of exoskeleton makes gas exchange by diffusion very difficult
What have insects evolved and what does it consist of?
- they have evolved a breathing system known as the tracheal system
- consists of many tubes that carry oxygen to all cells and tissues
What are spiracles?
- openings in the exoskeleton of an insect connected to the tracheal system
How are moving gases involved in the gas exchange of insects?
- most insects can use their body muscles to squeeze their tracheae and air sacs
- this forces air out
- when muscular tension is released, fresh air is drawn into the large tracheae
How are tracheoles significant in insects’ gaseous exchange?
- spiracles open into large tracheal tubes
- tracheal tubes lead to ever-finer branches
- branches penetrate to every part of the body
- at their extreme ends (tracheoles) they may be less than one micrometer in diameter and are filled with liquid
- every cell in insect’s body is adjacent or very close to the end of a tracheole
Describe some adaptations for gas exchange within insects
- large surface area (lots of tracheoles)
- moist surface (tracheoles contain fluid)
- thin walls- one cell thick (short diffusion distance)
- trachea extend close to every singe body cell (insects are small)
Why are the hairs around the spiracle significant?
- maintain humidity
- make shallower conc grad of water
- prevents air movement so reduces water vapour loss
What is a xerophytic plant?
A species of plant that has adaptations to survive in an environment with little liquid water
Describe some adaptations xerophytic plants have to conserve water
- few stomata
- sunken stomata
- hairs surrounding stomata
- needle-shaped or small leaves
- waxy cuticle
Where are cacti typically found?
Deserts of the USA
Describe the adaptations of leaves on cacti
- leaves have become spines which don’t photosynthesise
- photosynthesis occurs in green stem which possess chloroplasts
Describe the adaptations of the cacti stem
- stem has thick cuticle and large diameter
- allows water storage
- low SA:V ratio
Describe the adaptations of the roots in a cacti
- has both shallow and deep penetrating roots
- gives access to all available water
Where is marram grass typically found?
Sand dunes
How are marram grass leaves well adapted to minimise water loss?
- leaves can roll up to reduce the exposure of surfaces to wind
- rolling of leaf provides deep grooves which protect the stomata
- the exposed surface has no stomata and a thick cuticle
- inner surface of the leaf possesses a large number of hairs
Describe the trachea
- airway connecting mouth and nose to bronchi
- lined with mucus secreted by Goblet cells within cilia
- cilia sweep microorganisms and dust away from the lungs
Describe the lungs
- central part of the respiratory system
- where gas exchange occurs
Describe the bronchi
- at the bottom of the trachea
- similar structures but narrower
- lead to bronchioles
Describe the bronchioles
- narrow tubes (less than 1 mm)
- carry air from the bronchi to the alveoli
- no cartilage so could collapse
Describe the alveoli
- site of gas exchange
- tiny sacs with thin walls and large surface area to volume ratio for efficient gas exchange
Describe the capillary network within the human gas exchange system
- extensive capillary network surrounding alveoli
Describe cartilage rings
- along the trachea (tracheal rings)
- help support the trachea and ensure it stays open whilst allowing movement and flexion
Describe the ciliated epithelium
- specialised tissue along the trachea
- each cell has small projections of cilia
Where are goblet cells found?
Found scattered throughout the ciliated epithelium
Describe how the goblet cells are involved in the human gas exchange system
- they are mucus-producing cells that secrete mucus which traps dust, bacteria and other microorganisms
- mucus swept along by cilia upwards and is swallowed
- mucus and microorganisms are destroyed by acid in the stomach
Describe the wall of the alveoli
- they have a lining of thin and squamous epithelium
- forms a structure of the alveolar wall and so is very thin and permeable for easy diffusion of gases
Describe how smooth muscle is involved in the human gas exchange system
- found throughout the walls of bronchi and bronchioles
- helps regulate the flow of air into the lungs by dilating when more is needed and constricting if less is needed
Describe how the network of capillaries is involved within the human gas exchange system
- carbon dioxide diffuses out of capillaries and into alveoli to be exhaled while oxygen diffuses the other way to be carried around the body
- capillaries have the diameter for only one red blood cell to travel through at a time which ensures there is sufficient time for gas exchange
What occurs at the alveolar epithelium?
- the exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen occurs between the alveoli and the capillaries in the lungs
- simple diffusion process
Describe some features of the alveoli
- large quantity
480-500 million in the average adult
SA = 40-75 metres sq. - thin walls
one cell thick for short diffusion distance (cells are also flattened- squamous epithelial cells) - extensive capillary network
constant blood flow maintains conc grad
What does ventilation and blood flow ensure within the human gas exchange system?
- ensures there’s always a higher conc of oxygen in the alveoli than in the blood
- breathing refreshes the air in the alveoli