7 - Exchange Surfaces and Breathing Flashcards
What are the 4 features of efficient exchange surfaces?
-Increased surface areaa
-Thin layers
-Good blood supply
-Ventilation to maintain a diffusion gradient
Why does an increased surface area make an exchange surface efficient?
Provides the area needed for exchange overcomes limitations of low SA:V
Why do thin layers make an exchange surface efficient?
Distance that substances have to diffuse are short. Making the process faster and more efficient
eg. villi of small intestine, alveoli
Why does a good blood supply make an exchange surface efficient?
The steeper the concentration gradient the faster diffusion takes place. Good bloody supply ensures substances are constantly delivered and removed. This maintains a steep concentration gradient
eg. alveoli in lungs, gills of fish, villi of small intestine
Why does ventilation make an exchange surface efficient?
Helps maintain concentration gradients and make the process more efficient
eg. alveoli and gills of fish
What are the main reasons why diffusion alone is enough to supply the needs of single felled organisms?
-the metabolic activity of a single-celled organism is low, so oxygen demands and CO2 production is relatively low
-the SA:V ratio is large
What happens as an organisms gets larger?
-higher metabolic rate
-oxygen demands are higher
-distance between cells where the oxygen is needed is larger
-SA:V ratio decreases
What is the equation to calculate the circumference of a circle?
2πr
What is the equation to calculate the area of a circle?
πr^2
What is the equation to calculate the surface area of a cuboid?
2(bh + bl + hl)
What is the equation to calculate the volume of a cuboid?
hbl
What is ventilation?
Rhythmic physical process of moving atmospheric air into and out of the lungs in order to supply O2 and remove CO2
What are the key structures involved in the human gaseous exchange system?
Nasal cavity
Trachea
Bronchi
Bronchioles
Alveoli
Where does gas exchange occur in humans? What gases exchange?
Alveoli
-CO2 diffuses from the blood into the alveoli
-O2 diffuses from alveoli into the blood
In what structures of the human gas exchange system is cartilage found?
Trachea
Bronchi
Larger bronchioles (not smaller)
In what structures of the human gas exchange system is smooth muscle found?
Trachea
Bronchi
Bronchioles
In what structures of the human gas exchange system are elastic fibres found?
Trachea
Bronchi
Bronchioles
Alveoli
In what structures of the human gas exchange system are goblet cells found?
Trachea
Bronchi
Larger Bronchioles
In what structure of the human gas exchange system is epithelium cells found?
Trachea - ciliated
Bronchi - ciliated
Bronchioles - ciliated
Alveoli - squamous
What are the important features of the nasal cavity?
-large SA with a good blood supply which warms the air to body temperature
-hairy lining which secretes muscular to trap dust and bacteria, protecting delicate lung tissue from irritation and infection
-moist surface which increases humidity of incoming air, reducing evaporation from the exchange surfaces
What is the pathway of air from the mouth to the alveoli?
-air flows in though the mouth and nose
-down the trachea
-spilts into two bronchi
-branch off into smaller bronchioles
-bronchioles end in small sacs called alveoli
-surrounded by capillaries where gas exchange takes place
What is pleural fluid?
-the fluid that is inside the pleural cavity which is a membrane that surrounds each lung
-lubricates the lungs and helps adhere to the walls of the thoracic cavity by water cohesion
-allows the lungs to expand with the chest during inhalation
What are some of the specialised cells and tissues which help the lungs to carry out their function?
Smooth muscle
Cartilage
Goblet cells
Ciliated epithelium cells
Elastin
Squamous epithelium cells
Surfactant
How is the trachea adapted for its function?
- incomplete rings of strong flexible cartilage which holds airway open and stopes trachea from collapsing
-lined with ciliated epithelium and goblet cells
-goblet cells secret mucus onto the lining of trachea, traps dust and microorganisms which are breathed into the lungs
-ciliated epithelium waft and beat regularly to move mucus towards mouth, away from the lungs
-smooth muscle which can contract if harmful substances are detected to construct the airways, can stretch and recoil due to the elastic fibres