exchange and transport systems P1 Flashcards
how does an organisms size relate to their surface area to volume ratio?
the larger the organism, the lower the surface area to volume ratio
explain the advantage of larger animals having a specialised system that facilitates oxygen uptake [2]
larger organisms have a smaller surface area to volume ratio, so it overcomes the long diffusion pathway
how does an organisms surface area to volume ratio relate to their metabolic rate?
the lower the surface area to volume ratio, the lower the metabolic rate
name three features of an efficient gas exchange surface
- large surface area, eg. folded membranes in mitochondria
- thin/ short diffusion distance (e.g. wall of capillaries is one cell thick)
- steep concentration gradient maintained by blood supply or ventilation, eg. alveoli
why can’t insects use their bodies as an exchange surface?
they have a waterproof chitin exoskeleton and a small surface area to volume ratio in order to conserve water
name and describe the three main features of an insect’s gas transport system
spiracles - holes on the body’s surface which may be opened or closed by a valve for gas or water exchange.
tracheae - large tubes extending through all body tissue, supported by rings to prevent collapse
tracheoles - smaller branches dividing off the tracheae
explain 3 ways in which an insect’s tracheal system is adapted for efficient gas exchange [3]
tracheoles have thin walls so short diffusion distance to cells
large number of tracheoles/ branched, so large surface area for gas exchange
fluid in end of tracheoles that moves out into tissue during exercise, so larger surface area
explain the process of gas exchange in insects
gasses move in and out of the tracheae through the spiracles
a diffusion gradient allows oxygen to diffuse into the body tissue while waste CO2 diffuses out.
contraction of muscles in the tracheae allows mass movement of air in and out
suggest and explain how a reduced tidal volume affects the exchange of CO2 between the blood and the alveoli [3]
less Co2 exhaled/ moves out of lung
so reduced concentration gradient between blood and alveoli
so less movement of CO2 out of blood.
why can’t fish use their bodies as an exchange surface?
they have a waterproof, impermeable outer membrane and a small surface area to volume ratio.
name and describe the two main features of a fish’s gas transport system
gills - located within the body, supported by arches, along which are multiple projections of gill filaments, which are stacked up in piles
lamellae - at right angles to the gill filaments, give an increased surface area. blood and water flow across them in opposite directions (counter-current exchange system)
explain the process of gas exchange in fish
the fish opens its mouth to enable water to flow in, then closes its mouth to increase pressure.
the water passes over the lamellae and the oxygen diffuses into the bloodstream
waste CO2 diffuses into the water and flows back out of the gills
explain how the counter-current mechanism allows efficient oxygen uptake in the fish gas exchange system [3]
blood and water flow in opposite directions.
blood always passes water with a higher oxygen concentration
this maintains a concentration gradient along the length of the filament
name and describe three adaptations of a leaf that allow efficient gas exchange
- thin and flat to provide short diffusion pathway and large SA:VOL
- many stomata to allow water to easily enter
- air spaces in the mesophyll which allow gases to move around the leaf, facilitating photosynthesis
how do plants limit their water loss while still allowing gases to be easily exchanged?
stomata regulated by guard cells which allows them to open and close as needed most stay closed to prevent water loss while some stay open to let oxygen in.
explain why plants that grow in soils with very little water grow only slowly [2]
stomata close, so less CO2 uptake for less photosyntheses
describe the pathway taken by air as it enters the mammalian gas exchange system
nasal cavity —> trachea —> bronchi—> bronchioles—> alveoli
describe the trachea and its function in the gas exchange system
wide tube supported by cartilage to keep the air passage open during pressure changes
lined by cilia which move mucus towards the throat to be swallowed, preventing lung infections
carries air to bronchi
describe the bronchi and their function in the gas exchange system
like the trachea, they are supported by rings of cartilage and are lined by cilia
allow passage of air into bronchioles
describe the bronchioles and their function in the gas exchange system
don’t need to be kept open by cartilage, therefore mostly have only muscle and elastic fibres so that they can contact and relax easily during ventilation
allow passage of air into the alveoli
describe the alveoli and their function in the gas exchange system
mini air sacs, lined with epithelial cells, site of gas exchange
walls only one cell thick, which creates a short diffusion path
describe and explain the mechanism that causes lungs to fill with air [3]
diaphram contracts and external intercostal muscles contract
this causes the volume to increase and the pressure to decrease
air moves down a pressure gradient
explain the process of expiration
diaphragm relaxes and internal intercostal muscles contract
volume of thorax decreases, and pressure increases.
what’s is tidal volume?
the volume of air we breathe in and out during each breath at rest
what is breathing rate?
the number of breaths we take per minute
how do you calculate pulmonary ventilation rate?
tidal volume x breathing rate (can be measured using a spirometer)
describe the pathway taken by an oxygen molecule from an alveoli to the blood [2]
across alveoli epithelium, epithelium of capillary
explain how one feature of an alveoli allows efficient gas exchange to occur [2]
alveolar epithelium is one cell thick, creating a short diffusion pathway
explain why death of alveolar epithelium cells reduces gas exchange in human lungs [3]
reduced surface area
so increased distance for diffusion
so reduced rate of gas exchange