AS - Unit 1 - Exchange and transport Flashcards
What substances do all living cells need to survive?
Oxygen for aerobic respiration
Glucose as a source of energy
Proteins for growth and repair
Fats to make membranes and to be a store of energy
Water
Minerals to maintain their water potential and to help enzyme action and other aspects of metabolism
What waste products do living cells need to remove?
CO2 (in animals and microorganisms, and also from plant cells that are not actively carrying out photosynthesis)
Oxygen (from photosynthesis in some plant cells and some protoctists)
Other waste products such as ammonia or urea, which contain excess nitrogen
What features should all good transport systems have in common?
Large surface area to provide more space for molecules to pass through - often achieved by folding the walls and membranes
Thin barrier to reduce the diffusion distance
Fresh supply of molecules on one side to keep the concentration high
Removal of required molecules on the other side to keep the concentration low
Give 4 exchange surfaces in living organisms.
Small intestine - where nutrients are absorbed
Liver - where levels of sugars in the blood are adjusted
Root hairs of plants - where water and minerals are absorbed
Hyphae of fungi - where nutrients are absorbed
Which way does oxygen move in the alveoli?
From the air in the alveoli to the blood in the capillaries
And vice versa for carbon dioxide
Give 4 ways the lungs are adapted for exchange
Large surface area
Barrier permeable to oxygen and carbon dioxide
Thin barrier to reduce diffusion distance
Maintaining a steep diffusion gradient
How does a large surface area help the lungs to work efficiently?
It provides more space for molecules to pass through. There are so many alveoli that the total surface area is larger than that of our skin.
How does an oxygen and CO2 permeable barrier helpful to the proper function of the lungs?
The plasma membranes that surround the thin cytoplasm of the cells form the barrier to exchange. These readily allow the diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide
How are alveoli adapted to have a short diffusion distance?
Alveolus wall is one cell thick
Capillary wall is one cell thick
Both walls consist of squamous cells
Capillaries are in close contact with the alveolus walls
Capillaries are so narrow the RBC’s are squeezed against the capillary wall reducing the rate at which they flow past in the blood
Total barrier to diffusion is only two flattened cells thick (less than 1um thick)
How can you keep oxygen diffusing into the lungs?
Having a high concentration of molecules on the supply side and a low concentration on the demand side. To keep the demand side low there needs to be a constant flow of blood to carry off the oxygen as it diffuses over. To keep the supply side high oxygen needs to move in often e.g constant breathing
What happens during inspiration?
Diaphragm contracts to become flatter and pushes digestive organs down
External intercostal muscles contract to raise ribs
Volume of chest cavity increases
Pressure in chest cavity drops below atmospheric pressure
Air moves into lungs
What happens during expiration?
Diaphragm relaxes and is pushed up by displaced organs underneath
External intercostal muscles relax and ribs fall
Volume of chest cavity decreases
Pressure in lungs increases and rises above atmospheric pressure
Air moves out of lungs
What properties must airways have to be effective?
The larger airways must be large enough to allow sufficient air to flow without obstruction
They must also divide into smaller airways to deliver air to all the alveoli
The airways must be strong enough to prevent them collapsing when the air pressure inside is low (during inhilation)
Must be flexible to allow movement
Must be able to stretch and recoil
Give 4 properties of the trachea and the bronchi
Much of the wall consists of cartilage
Cartilage in the form of C-rings in the trachea, but less regular in the bronchi
Inside surface of the cartilage is a layer of glandular tissue, connective tissue, elastic fibres, smooth muscle and blood vessels (called the loose tissue)
Inner lining in an epithelium later with two types of cells. Most have cillia cal lied ciliated epithelium cells, these are among goblet cells
Describe some properties of the bronchioles
Much narrower than the bronchi
Larger ones may have some cartilage but smaller ones have no cartilage
Wall is made of mostly smooth muscle and elastic fibres
The smallest bronchioles have alveoli at their ends
What is the role of cartilage in the gas exchange system?
Plays a structural role
Supports trachea and bronchi, holding them open
Prevents collapse when air pressure is low during inhalation
Not a complete ring so some flexibility, allows movement of neck without constructing the airways. Also allows the oesophagus to expand during swallowing
What is the role of the smooth muscle in the gas exchange system?
Smooth muscle can contract, when contracts makes the lumen of the airway narrower
Controlling the flow of air to the alveoli may be important if there are harmful substances in the air
Contraction of smooth muscle and control of airflow is not a voluntary act
Someone may have an allergic reaction to certain substances in the air and their bronchioles constrict
One of the causes of asthma
What is the role of the elastic fibres in the gas exchange system?
When smooth muscle contacts it deforms the elastic fibres, the SM can’t reverse this effect so the elastic fibres once deformed, recoil into their original shape and size, this widens the airway again
What role do goblet cells and glandular tissue play in the gas exchange system?
Secrete mucus, the mucus traps tiny particles from the air so they can be removed to reduce the risk of infection
That role does ciliated epithelium play in the gas exchange system?
Cilia move in synchronised pattern to waft the mucus up the airway to the back of the throat, once there the mucus is swallowed and the stomach acid will kill any bacteria
What is tidal volume?
The volume of air that moves in and out of the lungs with each breath when you are at rest
Approx 0.5dm^3
What is vital capacity?
The largest volume of air that can be moved into and out of the lungs in any one breath
Approx 5dm^3
What is residual volume?
The volume of air that always remains in our lungs even after the biggest possible exhalation
Approx 1.5dm^3
What is dead space?
The air in the bronchioles, bronchi and trachea. There is no gas exchange between this air and the blood
What is the inspiratory reserve volume?
How much more air can be breathed in (inspired) over and above the normal tidal volume when you take a big breath
What is expiratory reserve volume?
How much more air can be breathed out (expired) over and above the amount that is breathed in a tidal volume breath
What does a spirometer consist of?
A chamber filled with oxygen that floats on a tank of water
How does a spirometer work?
A person breathes from a disposable mouthpiece attached to a tube connected to the chamber of (medical-grade) oxygen. Breathing in takes oxygen from the chamber, which then sinks down. Breathing out pushes air into the chamber, which then floats up
Effectively a pen is attached to the top of the chamber lid and tracks the movement of the chamber, which records the breaths
Why is soda lime used in a spirometer?
When breathing in a spirometer for a period of time the carbon dioxide levels are increased dangerously.
The soda lime absorbs the carbon dioxide exhaled.
Why do the spirometer traces gradually decrease down the page?
As air is exhaled the soda lime absorbs the carbon dioxide which decreases the amount of air in the chamber
How do you know the volume of oxygen used up by someone breathing by a spirometer?
You measure the difference between the lowest point of the first wave and the lowest point of the last wave and divide it by how long the person was breathing into the spirometer
What is the definition of transport regarding the body?
The movement of oxygen, nutrients, hormones, waste and heat around the body
What three main factors affect the need for a transport system?
Size
Surface-area-to-volume ratio
Level of activity
Why does the size of an organism affect the need for a transport system?
Any oxygen or nutrients only diffuses to the outer layers of the organism and is used up, the middle cells don’t get anything
Why does surface-area-to-volume ratio affect the need for a transport system?
As an organism grows the size of it grows a lot faster than the surface area, this means the surface area is not large enough to supply all the oxygen and nutrients needed by the internal cells. Therefore the larger the organism the more urgent the need is for a transport system!
Why does level of activity affect the need for a transport system?
Animals need energy from food so that they can move around. Releasing energy from food by respiration requires oxygen. If an animal is very active the cells need a ready supply of energy for movement. And animals such as mammals who keep themselves warm need even more energy
Give three aspects of an effective transport system
Fluid or medium to carry nutrients and oxygen around the body - blood
A pump to create pressure that will push the fluid around the body - heart
Exchange surfaces that enable oxygen and nutrients to enter the blood and to leave it again where they are needed
Give two aspects of an efficient transport system
Tubes or vessels to carry blood
Two circuits - one to pick up oxygen and another to deliver oxygen to the tissues
What route does the blood take in a single circulatory system?
Heart –> gills –> body –> heart
What is the name of the circuit that carries blood to the lungs to pick up oxygen?
Pulmonary circulation
What is the name of the circuit that carries oxygen and nutrients around the body to the tissues?
Systematic circulation
How many times does blood flow through the heart for each circulation of the body?
twice
What route does blood take around the mammalian body?
Heart –> body –> heart –> lungs –> heart
Give three features of the fish single circulatory system
Blood pressure is reduced as blood passes through the tiny capillaries of the gills
Blood doesn’t flow very quickly through the rest of the body
The rate at which oxygen and nutrients are delivered to respiring tissues is limited
Why is a single circulatory system ideal for a fish?
They are not as active as mammals
They do not maintain their body temperature
Need less energy
Give three features of the mammal double circulatory system
Heart can increase the pressure of the blood after it has passed through the lungs so blood flows more quickly to the body tissue
Systematic circulation can carry blood at a higher pressure than the pulmonary circulation
Blood pressure must not be too high in the pulmonary circulation, otherwise it may damage the delicate capillaries in the lungs
Why is the double circulatory system idea for mammals?
Mammals are active
Maintain their body temp
All energy used in living is required from food
Energy is released from food in the process of respiration
To release a lot of energy the cells need good supplies of both nutrients and oxygen
A double circulatory system is ideal for all of these things
What kind of blood does the right side of the heart pump?
Deoxygenated blood to the lungs to be oxygenated
What does the left side of the heart do?
Pumps oxygenated blood to the rest of the body
What is the name of the vessels that lay over the surface of the heart?
Coronary arteries
What do the coronary arteries do?
Carry oxygenated blood to the heart muscle itself
How does deoxygenated bloody flow through the heart?
From the vena cava into the right atrium, through the atrioventricular valves into the ventricles. Flows into the pulmonary artery through the semilunar valve leading to the lungs
How does oxygenated blood travel through the heart?
From the lungs flows from the pulmonary vein into the left atrium. From the atria flows down through the atrioventricular valves into the ventricles. Flows up into the aorta as carries blood through semilunar valve to a number of arteries that’s supply all parts of the body
What is the significance of the septum?
Separates ventricles from each other, so oxygenated and deoxygenated blood doesn’t mix together
Why is the muscles of the atria very thin?
Because these chambers do not need to create much pressure, function is to push blood into ventricles
Why are the walls of the right ventricles thicker than the atria walls?
Enables the right ventricle to pump blood out of the heart
Why are the walls of the left ventricle thicker than the walls of the right ventricles?
Right ventricle –> blood to lungs, the lungs are in the chest cavity, therefore blood doesn’t need much pressure to go as far, pressure needs to be kept down to prevent capillaries in the lungs from bursting easily
Left ventricle –> blood to rest of body, needs lots of pressure to go all round the body and overcome resistance of the systematic circulation
Why are the capillaries in the lungs delicate?
Alveoli walls are very thin, very little or no tissue fluid so capillaries are not supported and could easily burst
What kind of blood does the right side of the heart pump?
Deoxygenated blood to the lungs to be oxygenated
What does the left side of the heart do?
Pumps oxygenated blood to the rest of the body
What is the name of the vessels that lay over the surface of the heart?
Coronary arteries
What do the coronary arteries do?
Carry oxygenated blood to the heart muscle itself
How does deoxygenated bloody flow through the heart?
From the vena cava into the right atrium, through the atrioventricular valves into the ventricles. Flows into the pulmonary artery through the semilunar valve leading to the lungs
How does oxygenated blood travel through the heart?
From the lungs flows from the pulmonary vein into the left atrium. From the atria flows down through the atrioventricular valves into the ventricles. Flows up into the aorta as carries blood through semilunar valve to a number of arteries that’s supply all parts of the body
What is the significance of the septum?
Separates ventricles from each other, so oxygenated and deoxygenated blood doesn’t mix together
Why is the muscles of the atria very thin?
Because these chambers do not need to create much pressure, function is to push blood into ventricles
Why are the walls of the right ventricles thicker than the atria walls?
Enables the right ventricle to pump blood out of the heart
Why are the walls of the left ventricle thicker than the walls of the right ventricles?
Right ventricle –> blood to lungs, the lungs are in the chest cavity, therefore blood doesn’t need much pressure to go as far, pressure needs to be kept down to prevent capillaries in the lungs from bursting easily
Left ventricle –> blood to rest of body, needs lots of pressure to go all round the body and overcome resistance of the systematic circulation
Why are the capillaries in the lungs delicate?
Alveoli walls are very thin, very little or no tissue fluid so capillaries are not supported and could easily burst
What is the cardiac cycle?
The sequence of events in one heartbeat
What happens in the filling phase of the cardiac cycle?
While the atria and ventricles are relaxing the internal volume increases and blood flows into the heart from the major veins.
Blood flows into the atria, through the atrioventricular valves and into the ventricles. This phase is called diastole
What happens during atrial contraction
Left and right atria contract together
Small increase in pressure created by this contraction pushes blood into the ventricles (atrial systole)
Ventricles fill
Blood fills the atrioventricular valve flaps making them snap shut
Prevent blood flowing back into the ventricles
What happens during ventricular contraction?
Short period where all four heart valves are closed
Ventricle walls contract (ventricular systole)
Contraction starts at base of heart and pushes blood upwards
Semilunar valves open and blood is pushed out of the heart
What is the purpose of valves in the heart?
Valves ensure that blood flows in the right direction
They are opened and closed by changes in the blood pressure in the various chambers of the heart
How do the atrioventricular valves work?
When ventricle walls relax the pressure in the ventricles dips below the pressure in the atria
This causes AV valves to open
Blood enters heart goes through atria into ventricles
Pressure in both raises as fill with blood
Valves remain open as atria contract
As ventricles contract, pressure rises above pressure in atria
Blood starts to move upwards
Movement fills valves pockets
They snap shut
Prevents back flow of blood
How do the semilunar valves work?
Ventricles begin to contract
Pressure in major arteries higher than pressure in ventricles
So semilunar valves are closed
ventricles contract
Pressure rises very quickly
Once pressure in ventricles above pressure in aorta and pulmonary arteries SL valves are pushed open
How do the semilunar valves close
Once ventricles finish contracting, heart muscles start to relax
Elastic tissue in walls of ventricles recoil to stretch muscle out again
This causes pressure in ventricle to drop quickly
Drops below pressure in major arteries
Semilunar valves are pushed closed by blood starting to back flow towards ventricles and collecting in pockets of the valves
Prevents blood returning to the ventricles
What is the written sound of the heart beating
Lub-dub
What happens during the ‘lub’ sound of the hearts ‘lub-dup’ sound
The atrioventricular valves closing as the ventricles start to contract
What happens during the ‘dup’ sound of the hearts ‘lub-dup’ sound
Semilunar valves closing as the ventricles start to relax
Which valve makes the loudest sound in the heart and why?
The AV valves closing because they snap shut so the noise is louder than the closing of the semilunar valves
What is the heart muscle described as?
Myogenic
Which muscles in the heart contract at a higher frequency?
The atrial muscles contract at a higher frequency than the ventricular muscle
Why does the heart need a mechanism to coordinate it?
Because the chambers contract at different frequencies so therefore need to be kept in sync in order to prevent fibrillation
Where is the SAN located in the heart?
At the top of the right atrium, near the point where the vena cava empties blood into the atrium.
What is the SAN (sinoatrial node)?
A small patch of tissue that generates electrical activity.
How does the SAN work?
It initiates a wave of excitation at regular intervals. In a human it occurs approx 55-80 times a minute. It is also known as the pace maker
What happens during atrial systole?
The wave of excitation from the SAN spreads over the walls of both atria. It travels along the membranes of the muscle tissue. As the wave of excitation passes, it makes the cardiac muscles contract.
How is atrial systole contained to only the atria?
At the base of the atria is a disc of tissue that cannot conduct the wave of excitation into the ventricular muscle walls.
How can ventricular contraction occur?
In the septum of the heart there is another node. The atrioventricular node (AVN).
How does the wave of excitation reach the AVN?
The wave of excitation from the SAN passes down the septum of the heart (the only route that conducts the wave) to the AVN.
How do the SAN and AVN work together in the heart to make it beat in time?
The wave of excitation is passed from the SAN through the atrial walls. It then reaches the AVN where it is delayed to ensure the atria have finished contracting and the blood has passed into the ventricles. Once the atria have finished contracting the AVN releases the wave of excitation down specialised conducting tissue called Purkyne tissue.
How does ventricular contraction occur?
Once the wave of excitation has travelled through the Purkyne tissue down the ventricular septum. At the base of the septum the wave spreads out over the walls of the ventricles. The wave spreads upwards from the base of the ventricles and it causes the muscles to contract. This causes the ventricles to contract from the base upwards, pushing blood up to the major arteries at the top of the heart.
What does ECG stand for?
electrocardiogram
In the trace of an ECG what does wave P show?
Excitation of the atria
In the trace of an ECG what does the QRS area indicate?
the excitation of the ventricles