Exchange Flashcards
Why do small organisms not need a specialised exchange surface?
have a very high SA:Vol so diffuse all oxygen in through membrane
State ficks law
rate of diffusion = (surface area * difference in conc.) / length of diffusion pathway
Exchange in single celled organism
- small w/ large SA:Vol
- O2 + CO2 diffuse across one cell thick membrane
Describe respiration in the tracheal system
- oxygen used for respiration
- conc. gradient set up btw. atmosphere (high) and cells (low)
- oxygen diffuses in through spiracle + tracheae
- muscle contraction pumps gases through
Explain why tracheoles filled w/ water
So that during exercise (anaerobic respiration), water moves into cells by osmosis due to water. pot gradient set up by lactate. This draws air into tracheoles in which diffusion takes place more rapidly
List adaptations of insects for efficient gas exchange
- tracheoles thin walls -> short diff. path
- highly branched -> short diff. path + large SA
- tracheae tubes filled w/ air -> faster diffusion in air
- fluid moves into tissues from tracheoles -> more air
for fast diff. + larger SA - abdominal pumping -> maintains conc. gradient
Features of fish gills for efficiency
- v. large SA -> flat filaments w/ lamellae folds
- thin walled/flat -> close contact water, short diff. path
- good blood circulation -> conc. gradient maintained
- water ventilation -> conc. gradient maintained
Concurrent vs Countercurrent
Concurrent: same direction of flow so equilibrium reached, half O2 taken up
Countercurrent: opposite direction of flow so conc. gradient maintained, 100% O2 taken up
Adaptations of leaves for gas exchange
- many stomata -> short diff. path as no cell is far
- many air spaces in mesophyll -> gases readily in contact w/ mesophyll cells
- large SA of mesophyll cells -> rapid diff.
Respiration formula
oxygen + glucose -> carbon dioxide + water
Photosynthesis formula
carbon dioxide + water -> glucose + oxygen
Adaptations to limit water loss in insects
- small SA:V ratio -> minimise area of water loss
- waterproof covering (chitin) covered in waterproof cuticle
- spiracles close -> reduce water loss
Adaptations to limit water loss in plants (xerophytes)
- thick cuticle forms waterproof barrier
- rolling up of leaves -> region of still air becomes saturated w/ H2O decreasing water pot. gradient
- hairy leaves/stomata in pits -> trap moist air next to leaf reducing water pot. gradient
Why are lungs needed?
Remove lots of CO2 and absorb lots of O2
-> humans have lots of cells and high metabolic rate
Pathway of air in the lungs (plus a feature)
trachea (cartilage to prevent collapse)
bronchi (mucus trap dirt + cilia waft it up to throat)
bronchioles (muscle lined to control air flow)
alveoli (elastic fibres allow them to stretch and recoil)