exchange surfaces Flashcards
Tracheae
internal network of tubes supported by strengthened rings to prevent collapse.
Tracheoles
smaller dead end tubes leading from tracheae. Extend through the body of the insect direct to respiring tissues providing a short diffusion pathway from air to cells.
Spiracles
pores on surface of insect leading to tracheae, can be opened and closed
Describe the structure of
fish gills
Gill filaments stacked on top of each other.
Gill lamellae project at right angles to the gill filaments, this increases the surface area of the gills.
The gill filaments and lamellae have a good blood supply.
Describe how a fish
exchanges gases (mechanism)
Water is taken in through the mouth of the fish and forced out over the gills. through an opening on the side of the body. Gases are exchanged between the water and the blood vessels in the gills.
Explain the difference
between parallel flow and
counter-current flow
In parallel flow the blood and the water flow in the same direction. In countercurrent flow the blood and the water flow in opposite directions.
Explain how
counter-current flow
increases the rate of gas
exchange
Rate of gas exchange is increased because
counter-current flow maintains a diffusion gradient between the water and the blood over the whole length of the gill.
Describe the SA:vol of a fish
small
Describe how plants exchange gases
Gas exchange occurs by diffusion in the leaves of plants and volumes and types of gases depend on the balance between the rates of photosynthesis and respiration.
Explain the adaptations of leaves for efficient gas exchange
Leaf is designed so that cells are close to external air and diffusion occurs in the gas phase.
Stomata: found on the underside of the leaf and allow gases to enter. Many stomata so short diffusion pathway to cells
Spongy mesophyll: has air spaces so large surface area compared with tissue volume, gases readily come into contact with cells, rapid diffusion
Inhalation/Inspiration (active process - requires energy)
External intercostal muscles contract - internal
intercostal muscles relax
Ribs pulled upwards and outwards
Diaphragm contracts and flattens
Volume of thorax increases
Pressure in lungs decreases
Atmospheric pressure greater than pulmonary pressure
- air moves in to lungs
Exhalation/Expiration (passive process - does not require
energy)
Internal intercostal muscles contract - external
intercostal muscles relax
Ribs move downwards and inwards
Diaphragm relaxes and moves upwards
Volume of thorax decreases
Pressure in lungs increases
Pulmonary pressure greater than atmospheric pressure
- air moves out of lungs
Explain what is meant by pulmonary ventilation and how it is calculated
Pulmonary ventilation rate is the total volume of air that is moved into the lungs during one minute.
Calculated by: tidal volume x breathing rate
Describe the structure of the human gas exchange system
Contained within the ribcage for protection and to allow ventilation to occur
Trachea - flexible airway from mouth to bronchi, has cartilage for support. Walls made of ciliated epithelium and goblet cells
Bronchi - two branches of trachea, similar structure to trachea
Bronchioles - branches from bronchi, muscular walls control air flow to alveoli
Alveoli - tiny air sacs at the end of bronchioles. made of epithelium with elastic fibres and collagen between alveoli
Explain the functions of the human gas exchange system
To allow a large volume of oxygen and carbon dioxide to be exchanged between the blood and the environment. The gases are needed and produced by respiration