7 - Exchange surfaces and breathing Flashcards
Why are specialised exchange surfaces not needed in single-celled organisms?
- diffusion alone is enough to supply needs.
- low metabolic activity.
- large surface area : volume ratio
- short diffusion distance (cell surface membrane)
Why do large multicellular organisms require specialised exchange surfaces?
- small surface area : volume ratio
- higher metabolic rate
- distance between supply of oxygen and cells that require oxygen is too great.
How does SA:V ratio affect rate of diffusion?
- the larger the organism
- smaller SA:V ratio
- distance the substances need to travel from outside to reach the cells at centre of body increases.
- impossible to absorb enough oxygen through available surface area to meet needs of the body.
What are the features of an efficient exchange surface.
- increased surface area: provides for area for diffusion to occur (root hair cells)
- thin layers: provides a short diffusion distance so process is fast and efficient (alveoli)
- good blood supply and ventilation: to maintain a steep concentration gradient
features of the nasal cavity
- large surface area
- good blood supply
- which warms air to body temperature.
- moist surfaces: increases humidity of incoming air.
- hairy lining
- mucus is secreted to trap dust, microorganisms.
c shaped and incomplete rings of cartilage in trachea and bronchus
- for structure and support
- prevents airways from collapsing
Why are the rings of cartilage in trachea incomplete?
- too allow easy movement of food through oesophagus behind trachea.
role of ciliated epithelium in trachea and branches?
- have cilia which waft and beat mucus with trapped dust and microorganisms to back of throat.
- goblet cells secrete a sticky substance called mucus which trap dust and microorganisms.
effect of cigarettes on gaseous exchange system?
- stops the cilia from beating.
smooth muscle
- controls the diameter of the airways (trachea, bronchus, bronchioles).
- during exercise, smooth muscle relaxes, making airways wider.
- resistance to airflow decreases.
elastic fibres
- aids expiration
- during inspiration, elastic fibres are stretched.
- during expiration, the elastic fibres recoil to help push air out during expiration.
features of trachea
- incomplete rings of cartilage: prevents trachea from collapsing.
- ciliated epithelium
- goblet cells between and below ciliated epithelial cells.
- smooth muscle
- elastic fibres
features of bronchus
- rings of cartilage: prevents bronchus from collapsing.
- ciliated epithelium
- goblet cells between and below ciliated epithelial cells.
- smooth muscle
- elastic fibres
features of bronchioles
- smaller bronchioles (1mm diameter or less) do not have rings of cartilage.
- smooth muscle (contract → bronchioles constrict, relax → bronchioles dilate.
- thin layer of flattened epithelium, for some gaseous exchange.
FEATURES OF ALVEOLI
- squamous epithelial cells (1 cell thick) (thin layers) provides a short diffusion distance.
- moist lining of lung surfactant. Helps to dissolve oxygen so it can be easily diffused into the capillaries.
- lots of them provide a large surface area for efficient diffusion.
- rich network of capillaries means good blood supply. Maintains steep concentration gradient.
- good ventilation. Maintains steep concentration gradient.
mechanism of INSPIRATION
- diaphragm contracts and flattens.
- external intercostal muscles contract
- ribcage moves up and outwards
- thoracic volume increases
- pressure decreases
- air rushes in to lungs to equalise the pressure.
mechanism of EXPIRATION
- diaphragm relaxes and moves up, curves.
- external intercostal muscles relax.
- ribcage moves down and inwards.
- thoracic volume decreases.
- pressure increases
- air rushes out of lungs to equalise the pressure.
mechanism of FORCED EXPIRATION
- internal intercostal muscles contract
- ribcage moves further down and inwards.
- thoracic volume decreases further.
- pressure increases
- air is forced out of the lungs.
Tidal volume
- the volume of air in each resting breath. around 500cm3.
vital capacity
- maximum volume of air that can be breathed in or out.
inspiratory reserve volume
- maximum volume of air that can be breathed in above a normal inhalation.