Gas Exchange Flashcards
As an organism gets smaller, what happens to its surface area to volume ratio?
it gets bigger
Give 2 ways that organisms have evolved
-by having a large surface area accompanied by a flattened shape so that substances can diffuse the centre of cells quickly
-specialised exchange surfaces with a large sa to v ratio (e.g lungs)
what do specialises exchange surfaces all have?
-large SA to V ratio to increase rate of exchange
-thin to allow fast passage (diffusion) of substances
-movement of surrounding medium and internal medium to maintain diffusion gradient
why do exchange surfaces need to be inside organisms?
-prevent damage as they are essential for survival and are easily damaged as they are so thin
Why does the rate of diffusion increase with the square of the distance it has to travel?
In larger organisms, diffusion of substances would occur far too slowly to enable them to survive.
Why do single -celled organisms have a very large surface area to volume ratio?
Because the diffusion path is so short.
Why would a larger animal require more energy per day than a smaller animal?
it would have larger energy requiring systems
why would a larger animal require more energy per gram of body mass per day?
A larger animal has a larger surface area compared to its volume. it therefore loses heat energy more rapidly which increases its energy requirement per gram of body
How do multicellular animals overcome the limitations of diffusion?
By having a specialized circulatory system. This comprises:
-a heart
-a fluid in which substances are transported
-vessels through which the fluid can flow.
What happens during a closed circulatory system?
Blood is fully enclosed within blood vessels at all times.
From the heart, blood is pumped through a series of progressively smaller vessels. In the smallest vessels, capillaries, substances diffuse in and out of the blood and into cells.
Blood then returns to the heart via a series of progressively larger vessels.
What happens during an open circulatory system?
It consists of a heart that pumps a fluid called haemolymph through short vessels and into a large cavity called the haemocoel.
In the haemocoel, the haemolymph directly bathes organs and tissues, enabling the diffusion of substances.
heart
When the heart relaxes, the haemolymph blood is sucked back in via pores called ostia
Haemolymph moves around the haemocoel due to the movement of the organism.
What adaptations do insects have to reduce water loss?
-Waterproofing - exoskeleton with cuticle.
-Small surface area to volume ratio - smaller area over which water can be lost.
How is oxygen directly taken into respiring tissues in an insect?
Insects have spiracles which lead to a network of tubes called trachea which are supported by rings. They divide into smaller tubes called tracheoles which extend throughout all of the body tissue which is how oxygen diffuses in.
What are spiracles
The pores through which the gasses enter and leave the tracheae are called SPIRACLES. They are opened and closed by a valve. Water is lost when they are open so they are kept closed until gas exchange is required .
Describe gill structure
Gills are made of gill filaments which are stacked in a pile.
What are found at right angles to gill filaments and what do they do?
At right angles to the filaments are gill lamellae, which increase the surface area
How does countercurrent flow occur?
- Blood and water flow in opposite directions:
- Blood meets water with a high Oxygen concentration.
- The Oxygen diffuses from the water into the blood. This occurs whether the concentration of Oxygen in the blood is high or low because: blood with a high oxygen concentration still contains less oxygen than the fully loaded Water, and blood with little / no Oxygen has a lower concentration of Oxygen than the water, even when the water has lost most of its Oxygen. HENCE:- there is always diffusion of Oxygen from water to blood in the counter current system.
What percentage of water diffuse into the fish’s blood as a result of counter current flow?
80%
Why do we breathe?
Animals need to maintain a concentration gradient across their exchange surfaces so that oxygen will diffuse into the blood and carbon dioxide will diffuse out.
How do fish maintain a concentration gradient?
Fish manage this by keeping a continuous stream of oxygenated water moving over their gills
How do animals maintain a concentration gradient?
In animals such as mammals and birds, a concentration gradient is maintained in the alveoli by the mechanism of ventilation.
What does the respiratory system contain ?
The respiratory system contains the organs(trachea, bronchi, brionchiole, alveoli)that allow us to get the oxygen we need and to remove the waste carbon dioxide
Why might some people struggle getting the oxygen they need?
Narrow tubes - ventilation restricted
Alveoli breaks down - cant exchange properly
Paralysis - muscles don’t work properly
What are the 2 types of ventilators?
- Negative pressure ventilators
- Positive pressure ventilators