B2.2 - The Challenge Of Size Flashcards
The larger the organism or structure, is the surface area to volume ratio higher or lower?
Lower
The amount of oxygen required for respiration is determined by the amount of ….
Living cells in the organism
What is the formula for Fick’s Law (the rate of diffusion)?
Surface area x difference in concentration
______________________________________________
Length of diffusion path (membrane thickness)
How do alveoli contribute to more effective gas exchange in human lungs?
Significantly increases the surface area to volume ratio, allowing more effective gas exchange between blood capillaries.
What is the site for nutrient absorption?
The small intestine
What are villi?
Simple folds on the walls of the small intestine, which increase surface area.
Microvilli further increase this surface area
Why are transport systems needed in multicellular organisms?
Multicellular organisms have a small surface area to volume ratio. They need transport systems to be able to get all of the substances that cells need to the correct place.
Why is it that as organisms get larger they need more complex transport structures?
They are larger, so they need to be able to get nutrients and oxygen/carbon dioxide across a larger space.
What are the three parts of the circulatory system?
Heart
Blood vessels
Blood
What are the two types of blood?
Oxygenated, high in 02
Deoxygenated, high in CO2
Why can’t the two blood types mix?
The circulatory system is in two parts
This is called a double circulatory system
Which side of the heart transports deoxygenated blood?
Right side
Which side of the heart transports oxygenated blood?
Left
What is the function of the arteries?
Transports oxygenated blood at high pressure away from the heart
How do arteries adapt to their function?
The small size of the lumen means the blood will be under high pressure
The elastic fibres allow the artery to stretch under pressure
The thick muscles contract to push the blood along
What is the function of the veins?
Transports deoxygenated blood at low pressure back into the heart from the body
How do veins adapt to their function?
The large size of the lumen means that the blood will be under low pressure
What is the function of the valves?
To stop blood from going in the wrong direction
What is the function of the capillaries?
The link between arterioles and venules (smaller branches of the arteries and veins)
Essential for the exchange of materials between blood and body cells - can only occur through them
How are capillaries adapted to their function?
They have thin walls so oxygen, nutrients and waste can pass in and out of them
Arteries or veins?
Carries blood away from the heart
Arteries
Arteries or veins?
Returns blood to the heart
Veins
Arteries or veins?
Thicker walls
Arteries
Arteries or veins?
Wider lumen
Veins
Arteries or veins?
High pressure
Arteries