Ch7: Gas Exchange Flashcards
Define respiration:
The exchange of gases between an organism and its environment
Compare aerobic and anaerobic respiration:
AEROBIC:
- occurs in the mitochondria
- More efficient + produces more ATP (for same amount of glucose) (32-38)
- MAY have allowed for multicellularity and larger organisms
ANAEROBIC:
- occurs in the cytoplasm (undergoes glycolysis)
- less efficient
- produces less ATP (2)
- rears energy quicker
What is Fick’s Law?
Rate of Diffusion = (SA x Partial Pressure x Diffusion coefficient) / Diffusion distance
NOTE: diffusion coefficient is unique to each gas
How do we maximise the rate of diffusion? (Hint: there are 3 points)
1) Allow for branching and specialised systems (increase SA)
2) Have a thin membrane = minimise diffusion distance
3) Make sure the membrane is permeable = allow desired gases to enter organism/cell
What is the diffusion coefficient determined by? What does this mean for gases?
Molecular weight and solubility.
Meaning that each gas/molecule gas a unique diffusion coefficient
Describe simple diffusion
Diffusion is the movement of gases across a (permeable) membrane from an area of HIGH concentration to low concentration.
It does NOT require energy.
Molecules will eventually reach a dynamic equilibrium (no net movement of particles/gases)
Define stomal complex and describe stomata
Stomatal complexes possess two guard cells that separate in the middle to form the stomatal pore, where transpiration and gas exchange take place. Stomatal complexes can help plants to regulate leaf temperature via evaporative cooling.
Stomata: are openings that can be kidney or dumbbell shaped that allow for the exchange of gases (able to open and close)
Describe the stomata of grasses
They mostly have their stomata at the BASE of their leaves to control water loss from evaporation, as water can be lost when the stomata open to allow gas exchange. The more sunlight hits an area, the more water it will lose.
- the stomata are adjacent to leaf veins (irrigation?)
Stomatal density determined by? (Hint: there are 3 main ones, and 1 one in terms of the plant itself)
1) Humidity
2) Temperature
3) Partial pressure of gases
4) also determined by affects of GROWTH
Do plants have specialised systems for gas exchange?
NO, they don’t have specialised systems for gas exchange
Where do plants have the highest density of stomata and why?
Their leaves: because they are the most photosynthetically and metabolically active
To accomodate for this leaves are: thin (minimise diffusion distance), have HIGH SA and LOW volume
How do roots increase their SA to access air pockets in soil?
Small root hairs
Define mesophyll cells, and how they allow for gas to travel/exchange more rapidly/
The middle cell layer of a leaf containing chloroplasts and representing the main site of photosynthesis
They have gaps between them that allow for gas to travel/exchange more rapidly (because gases move easier through other gases than diffusing through membranes)
Define aerenchyma cells, what do they rely on to work?
Describe specifically how they work in large plants/trees with bark
Tubes that run through plants that allow for gases to travel through them (from stem to root)
They rely on pressure gradients of gases to bring them to areas they are needed (high to low pressure)
Thicker plants/trunks the inner most part of the plant is dead (XYLEM) that provides mechanical support. the LIVING tissue are just below the bark to minimise diffusion distance
What are the stomata replacement on trunks, shoots and stems called? What do they allow for?
Lenticel cells = pores
Allow for gases to directly interact with tissues
What do rhizomes in wetland plants allow for? What is this ability dependent on?
See Doc, 7a:
Rhizomes and roots that connect plants.
They connect to dead or broken plants allowing for exchange of O2 (inputs) and CO2 (wastes) to healthy plants
Exchange is based on pressure differences in aerenchyma cells due to the difference in size of the broken plants
Do fungi have specialised gas exchange systems?
No
How do fungi perform gas exchange? What does this allow them to produce?
They have mycelium (root networks) that find air pockets and use HYPHAE (increase SA) to undergo gas exchange
This allows them to produce fruiting bodies that undergo gas exchange (diffusion) with their THIN walls (minimise diffusion distance)
Do animals have specialised gas systems?
Yes
What are the 2 main processes for gas distribution through the body?
1) Ventilation: movement of the body or gas exchange surface to move gas along gas exchange surface
- Allowing for optimisation of pressure gradient and increased rate of diffusion (ex~ gills)
2) Circulation: gas is moved to and from gas exchange surface, either through the dissolution into circulatory fluid (blood) or directly via branching tubes
What issue do terrestrial organisms face?
Whilst they have ample access to oxygen, they must maintain moisture of gas exchange surface
What gas exchange system do insects have? How do these systems maintain moisture?
See Doc, 7b:
They have spiracles (holes) in their abdomen and chest (THORAX) that allow for gases to exchange through them
These spiracles lead to trachea and then to thinner tubes (tracheoles) that branch (increase SA) and allow for individual cells to get their required gases
They maintain moisture, the spiracles can shit and prevent water loss. As well as the insect can contract their abdomen to inhale air (ventilation)
What are the ventilation of larger terrestrial animals described as?
Specialised methods: air enters mouth/nose then goes to trachae and bronchi, in MORE specialised beings they enter the bronchioles and alveoli.
NOTE; walls of lungs are thin to minimise diffusion distance and are surrounded by capillaries.
Describe the role of surfactants and where they come from.
Surfactants come from pneumocyte cells: they have a hydrophilic and phobic end
They line the lungs to maintain: moisture and reduce surface tension to aid diffusion
