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A level Biology > Exchange Surfaces > Flashcards

Exchange Surfaces Flashcards

1
Q

What features of exchange surfaces allow for fast and efficient exchanges?

A

Large surface area
Short diffusion distance
Maintain concentration gradient
Moist

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2
Q

What do goblet cells secrete?

A

Mucus, Goblet cells trap dust and microorganisms to prevent infection.

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3
Q

Where are goblet cells found?

A

Trachea, bronchi, and larger bronchioles These cells are integral to the respiratory system.

These cells are integral to the respiratory system.

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4
Q

What is the function of cilia in the respiratory system?

A

Move mucus up towards the throat

This helps in swallowing and destroying mucus by stomach acid.

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5
Q

Where are cilia located?

A

Trachea, bronchi, and bronchioles

Cilia are important for maintaining airway hygiene.

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6
Q

What do elastic fibres do during breathing?

A

Stretch when we breathe in and recoil when we breathe out

This function aids in efficient gas exchange.

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7
Q

Where are elastic fibres found?

A

Walls of the trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli

Elastic fibres contribute to the elasticity of the respiratory structures.

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8
Q

What is the role of smooth muscle in the airways?

A

Control and relax to expand or narrow the airways

This regulation is crucial for airflow and resistance.

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9
Q

Where is smooth muscle located in the respiratory system?

A

Trachea, bronchi, and bronchioles

Smooth muscle plays a key role in airway responsiveness.

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10
Q

What is the function of cartilage in the trachea and bronchi?

A

Provides support and prevents the airways from collapsing

Cartilage maintains airway patency during inhalation.

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11
Q

How is cartilage structured in the trachea and bronchi?

A

Found in rings

The ring structure provides both strength and flexibility.

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12
Q

What is the structure of the lungs

A

Each of the lungs is enclosed in a double membrane known
as the pleural membrane. The space between the two
membranes is called the pleural cavity, and is filled with small amount of pleural fluid.

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13
Q

What are the Key Structures of the Nasal Cavity

A

Large surface area and good blood supply – this
warms the air as it passes into the body

Hairy lining – hairs trap dust and bacteria in
mucus and prevent them from reaching the lungs,
which could cause infection

Moist Surfaces – increases the humidity of the
incoming air, this reduces the evaporation of
water in the lungs

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14
Q

What are the Key Structural components of the Trachea

A

This pipe is supported by a
layer of cartilage that holds the trachea open and prevents it from collapsing

The rings are incomplete to allow it the bend when food is swallowed down the esophagus behind

The trachea is lined with ciliated epithelial (push mucus) and goblet cells (create mucus) that prevent dust and bacteria from entering

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15
Q

What are the Key Structural components of the Bronchus

A

The bronchus are
extensions of the trachea that split into two for the left and right lung

This has a very similar structure to the trachea but smaller

Cartilage rings hold the pip open

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16
Q

What are the Key Structural components of the Bronchioles

A

The bronchus split into much smaller bronchioles

This are about 1mm or less in diameter

They have not cartilage and are held open by smooth muscle

When this muscle contracts the bronchioles contract, this dependent on air flow

They are lined with a thin layer on epithelial tissues making some gas exchange possible

17
Q

What are the Key Structural components of the alveoli?

A

The alveoli are little air sacs, this is where most of the gas exchange occurs

Each alveoli is about 200 -
300μm in diameter

They are made up of a thin
layer of flattened epithelial
cells, as well as some
collagen and elastic fibres

The elastic fibres causes
recoil which helps move air
out of the alveoli

18
Q

What is Inspiration/inhalation , and what are the steps/features within the process

A

Inspiration

This is an energy using (active) process:

Diaphragm – Moves Down

Intercostal Muscles – move up and out

Thoracic Volume – Increases

Thoracic Pressure – Decreases

Air Flow – In to lungs (to equalise the pressure
difference)

19
Q

What is Expiration/exhalation , and what are the steps/features within the process

A

This is a largely passive process:

Diaphragm – Moves up

Intercostal Muscles – move down and in

Thoracic Volume – decreases

Thoracic Pressure – increases

Air Flow – out the lungs (to equalise the pressure
difference)

20
Q

In inspiration what muscles move?

A

Contraction of the external intercostal muscles.

21
Q

In expiration what muscles move?

A

Contraction of the internal intercostal muscles

22
Q

mechanics of inspiration (3 marks)

A

Inspiration:

External intercostal muscles
contract, lifting rib cage

Diaphragm muscles contract,
pulling it downwards

Volume of lungs increase

Pressure inside the lungs
decreases

Air rushes into the lungs from
the trachea to attain a pressure
equilibrium

23
Q

mechanics of expiration (3 marks)

A

internal intercostal muscles
contraction, rib cage falls
Diaphragm muscles relax and
it moves

upwards

Volume of lungs decreases

Pressure inside the lungs
increases

Air rushes out of the lungs to
attain a pressure equilibrium

24
Q

How does the spirometer work?

A

Static lower half of tank is
full of water, Mobile upper half of tank is full of oxygen, Breathe out into the tank, and the upper half will rise, Breathe in from the tank and the upper half will fall, Trace marker is attached to the mobile upper half

25
Q

What is a peak flow meter?

A

A peak flow meter
measures the rate at
which air can be expelled
from the lungs

26
Q

Why does the overall volume of gas
in the tank decline over time?

A

The spirometer contains Soda lime which absorbs carbon dioxide, When breathing, we are using up
the oxygen from the tank, while the carbon dioxide we breathe out is absorbed by the soda lime As a result the gas volume of tank decreases over experiment, Decreases by volume of oxygen used up by the participant

27
Q

What is tidal volume?

A

The volume of air that moves into and out of the
lungs with each resting breath

28
Q

What is Vital capacity?

A

The largest volume
of air that can be
breathed in

29
Q

What is Inspiratory Reserve Volume?

A

The maximum volume of air you can breath in over
and above normal inhalation

30
Q

What is Expiratory Reserve Volume?

A

Maximum volume of air you can force out of your
lungs over and above the normal tidal volume of air
you breath out

31
Q

What is Residual Volume?

A

The volume of air that is left in your lungs when you have exhaled as hard as possible

32
Q

What is Total Lung Capacity?

A

The sum of the vital capacity and the residual volume

A level Biology (22 decks)

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