Chapter 7 - Exchange surfaces and breathing Flashcards
Single Celled Organisms
➜ can diffuse directly into or out the cell due to small distance
➜ low metabolism due to low activity
➜ high SA : V ratio
Multicellular Organisms
➜ diffusion across outer membrane is too slow
➜ large diffusion distance between some body cells and outer environment
➜ low SA : V ratio
➜ high metabolic rate due to high activity so use up oxygen/glucose faster
Need for specialised system for gas exchange
➜ supply of oxygen - organisms require ATP to carry out biochemical processes
➜ removed of CO2 - toxic waste product, if let to accumulate in cells/tissue it can alter pH
Large Surface Area
➜ high SA : V ratio
➜ root hair cells have a root hair that increases surface area
➜ therefore, rate of water uptake by osmosis is greater
Thin Layers
➜ diffusion distance is short
➜ exchange of O2 and CO2 happens in alveoli and capillaries in lungs
➜ this is done by simple diffusion
➜ air in alveoli = high conc of O2 and oxygen diffuses from alveoli to capillaries
➜ blood in capillaries = low conc of O2 but high conc of CO2
➜ CO2 diffuses into alveoli and exhaled
Good Blood Supply
➜ maintains a steep conc gradient so faster diffusion
Ventilation
➜ maintain conc gradient
Alveoli
➜ large number of alveoli - increases surface area
➜ wall of alveoli is single layer thick - elastic fibres in extracellular matrix = small diffusion distance
➜ always a higher concentration of oxygen in the alveoli than in the blood CONC GRAD
➜ O2 diffuses out of the alveolar space into blood and CO2 diffuses in opposite direction
➜ capillary narrow = squash red blood cells = closer to alveoli
➜ good blood supply so constant flow of O2 so maintains conc grad
➜ watery fluid lines alveoli, facilitating the diffusion of gases
Ciliated epithelium
➜ trachea, bronchi
➜ each cell has small projections of cilia which sweep mucus
Squamous epithelium
➜ alveoli
➜ forms structure of alveolar wall so it is very thin and permeable for easy diffusion of gases
Trachea
➜ main airway leading from back of mouth to the lungs
➜ C shaped rings of cartilage to keep air channel open all the time
➜ C shaped to prevent any friction from rubbing with oesophagus
➜ substantial amount of mucus
Bronchi
➜ similar to trachea but thinner walls and small diameter
➜ cartilage rings = full circles
Bronchioles
➜ narrow self-supporting tubes with thin walls
➜ each bronchiole varies in size but get smaller as they get closer to the alveoli
➜ elastic fibres and smooth muscle that adjust size of airway
➜ smallest bronchiole = no smooth muscle but has elastic fibres
Goblet Cells
➜ line the airways and secrete mucus
➜ mucus is swept along by cilia
➜ mucus traps microorganisms and prevents from reaching alveoli
Cilia
➜ surface of cells lining airways
➜ cilia beat the mucus
➜ moves mucus up and away from alveoli to throat –> then swallowed
➜ prevents lung infections