Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Organisation of Living Things > Module 2: Animal Nutrition, Gas Exchange and Transport > Flashcards

Module 2: Animal Nutrition, Gas Exchange and Transport Flashcards

1
Q

What is the largest organ in the human body?

A

The skin.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is the role of the skin?

A

A protective barrier for our bodies.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

How is death cell used beneficially in the epidermis tissues?

A

The dead cells form a thick, scaly mesh that is waterproof. This acts a barrier to microbes entering the body.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is the outer layer of the skin?

A

The epidermis.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Are salts organic?

A

No.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is the role of salts in the body?

A

They help nerves to function.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Are carbohydrates organic?

A

Yes.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Are lipids organic?

A

Yes.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Are proteins organic?

A

Yes.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Are vitamins organic?

A

Yes.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is the role of carbohydrates in the body?

A

Energy.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is the role of lipids in the body?

A

Energy storage, phosopholipids for cell membranes, insulation.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is the role of proteins in the body?

A

Growth and repair of the body.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is the role of vitamins in the body?

A

Help enzymes function, regualte all activities, assist metabolism and growth.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Why can you not just eat sugar?

A

Although sugar is very important for having energy, your body needs many other substances derived from foods that are not just sugar. A balanced diet is essential for healthy function.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Why is our digestive system like a donut?

A

The digestive system is essentially a hole going straight through our bodies, similar to the hole of a donut.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What substances are found in saliva?

A

Water, amylase (enzyme that digests carbohydrates), mucus.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What do muscles in the stomach do?

A

Churn up the food.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What do HCl and pepsin do inside the stomach?

A

HCl creates an acidic environment, pepsin breaks down proteins.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What organ releases bile salts?

A

The gallbladder.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Why are bile salts important?

A

They surround lipids to emulsify fats.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

How is food absorbed into the body from the small intestine?

A

Capillaries in vili and microvilli absorb it predominantly through active transport.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What happens in the large intestine?

A

Reclaiming water from wastes, release vitamins into the body.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Why is the appendix larger in herbivores?

A

Because it contains many vital enzymes that are able to break down cellulose.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

What is chemical disgestion?

A

The use of chemical reactions to break down food. Digestive enzymes catalyse many of these chemical reactions.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

What is physical disgestion?

A

Breaking food down into smaller pieces without making chemical changes.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

What role does the mouth play in chemical digestion?

A

Releasing saliva containing enzymes.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

What role does the mouth play in chemical digestion?

A

Teeth cut and grind food, increasing surface area.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

What role does the stomach play in chemical digestion?

A

Releases acid and enzymes.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

What role does the stomach play in physical digestion?

A

Muscles churn the food.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

What role does the small intestine play in chemical digestion?

A

Contains many different enzymes to break down down food.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

What percentage of faeces is water?

A

75%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

What percentage of faeces is live bacteria, dead cells, salts, mucus, fats, and proteins?

A

9%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

What percentage of faeces is indigestible fibres?

A

8%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

What percentage of faeces is dead bacteria?

A

8%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

What organ store faeces before it is excreted?

A

The rectum.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

Why is faeces brown?

A

The bilirubin from broken down red blood cells is processed by bacteria in the intestines, turning it a brown colour.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
38
Q

Why do doctors treat some patients with fecal transplants?

A

Diverse microflora in the gut is vital for healthy function. Doctors will transfuse microbes from a healthy person to an unhealthy one to increase the biodiversity in their gut.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
39
Q

What are microbes?

A

Bacteria, viruses, archaea, and unicellular fungi.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
40
Q

Why is diversity of microbes important for health?

A

They aid digestion and help prevent diseases.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
41
Q

Why do cows have four stomach chambers?

A

They had to adapt in order to successfully digest the tough cellulose in their high fibre diets.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
42
Q

What are ruminants

A

Animals with four stomach chambers. These are grazing herbivores such as sheep and cows.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
43
Q

Why does the length of digestive systems in different mammals vary according to their diet?

A

The length increases dependant on how difficult it is to digest the substances they consume. The longer the digestive system, the more difficult it is to digest the substances in their diet.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
44
Q

What are the names of cows’ four stomach chambers?

A

The rumen, reticulum, abomasum, and omasum.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
45
Q

What is the role of rumen and reticulum in the cows’ digestive system?

A

They contain microbes that are able to break cellulose.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
46
Q

Why do cows regugitate their food after passing through the first two stomach chambers?

A

So they are able to chew it further before it enters the second two chambers.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
47
Q

What is the role of omasum and abomasum in the cows’ digestive system?

A

Water is removed in the omasum and the abomasum contains digestive enzymes that further break it down.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
48
Q

Why do the microbes living in the rumen/reticulum are helpful to ruminants in gaining nutrition?

A

They break the cellulose down into smaller, less complex molecules that can be absorbed in the small intestine.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
49
Q

Rank each type of mammal from most easily digested diet to least easily digested diet.

A

Nectar-feeding herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, grazing herbivore.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
50
Q

What is the caecum?

A

A digestive organ that contains the nessesary enzymes for breaking down cellulose. It is also called the appendix in humans.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
51
Q

How is a carnivore’s digestive system different to that of a grazing herbivore’s?

A

It will have a much smaller caecum as it does not require the digestion of any cellulose.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
51
Q

How is the caecum different in humans to rabbits?

A

The rabbit’s caecum is much larger because, as a grazing herbivore, it is required to break down a lot more cullulose than humans.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
52
Q

What type of animal would benefit from an enlarged caecum?

A

Grazing herbivores.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
53
Q

Why does removing the appendix from humans not affect their digestive system?

A

Because our diets do not contain a lot of cellulose, so our appendix (caecum) is relatively inactive.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
54
Q

What is the epiglottis?

A

The flap that ensures gases pass into the trachea rather that the oesophagus.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
55
Q

What is the trachea?

A

The tube that enters the lung. It then splits into two (one going into each lung).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
56
Q

What are the bronchi?

A

The two tubes that stem from the trachea and go into each separate lung.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
57
Q

What are bronchioles?

A

Smaller divisions of the bronchi.

58
Q

What is the name for the air sac at the end of each bronchiole?

A

Alveolus (plural is alveoli).

59
Q

What do capilaries do in human lungs?

A

They surround each alveolus to allow gas exchange to occur in and out of the blood via diffusion.

60
Q

What is the diaphragm?

A

The muscle below the lungs that controls inhalation/exhalation.

61
Q

What do the rib muscles do?

A

Control inhalation and exhalation.

62
Q

How does the diaphragm’s movement control inhalation and exhalation?

A

During inhalation, the diaphragm contracts (moving downwards), allowing air to enter the lungs. During exhalation, the diaphragm relaxes (moving upwards), to allow air to leave the lungs.

63
Q

What does oxygen percentage composition of inhaled gas compare to percentage composition of exhaled gas?

A

Oxygen percentage of inhaled air is 21%, which decreases to 17% in exhaled air.

64
Q

What does carbon dioxide percentage composition of inhaled gas compare to percentage composition of exhaled gas?

A

Carbon dioxide make up 0.004% of inhaled air, which increases to 4% of exhaled air.

65
Q

What does nitrogen percentage composition of inhaled gas compare to percentage composition of exhaled gas?

A

It stays the same (78%).

66
Q

How does gas exchange occur between the capillaries and alveoli in the lungs?

A

Via diffusion.

67
Q

Why does carbon dioxide diffuse out of the blood, while oxygen diffuses into the blood?

A

The alveoli have a low CO2 concerntration, so if diffuses down the concerntration gradient, out of the capillaries. O2 diffuses into the blood as the concerntration in the alveoli is high compared to the blood, so it diffuses into the capillaries down the concerntration gradient.

68
Q

How does the respitory system aid cellular respiration?

A

The respiritory system introduces oxygen into the body, which is one of the reactants in cellular respiration.

69
Q

Why do the lungs have many small alveoli instead of two large, empty air sacs?

A

A larger SA:V ratio allows for more effective diffusion.

70
Q

What feature do bird’s respitory systems have in order to facilitate maximum oxygen diffusion?

A

Air sacs that facilitate unidirectional air flow, maximising diffusion.

71
Q

How do reptiles facilitate breathing?

A

Rib muscles, as they lack a diaphragm.

72
Q

How do most amphibians facilitate breating?

A

The muscles in their mouth and throat.

73
Q

Explain the role of gills in fish.

A

They collect dissolved oxygen in the water and release carbon dioxide.

74
Q

What makes gill filaments open and separate from each other?

A

The movement and flow of water. Without water, gills collapse on top of each other.

75
Q

How does water temperature affect the amount of times a goldfish opens its mouth?

A

As water temperature increases, the number of times a goldfish opens its mouth increases.

76
Q

Is there more oxygen in cold or warm water?

A

Cold water has more oxygen.

77
Q

What fluid is carried through a mammalian circulatory system?

A

Blood.

78
Q

What is the pump that circulates blood?

A

The heart.

79
Q

Which organ adds glucose to blood in animals?

A

The small intestine.

80
Q

Why do cells need a supply of oxygen and glucose?

A

They are reactants of cellular respiration.

81
Q

How do cells form the waste product urea?

A

Breaking down proteins.

82
Q

How do cells form the waste product carbon dioxide?

A

Cellular respiration.

83
Q

What type of circulatory system do humans have?

A

Closed.

84
Q

What is an open circulatory system?

A

A fluid called haemolymph flows freely around the animal, surrounding the organs, allowing nutrients and wastes to be exchanged.

85
Q

What is a closed circulatory system?

A

Blood is pumped around the body and the oxygen is transported to/from each organ using smaller vessels.

86
Q

What type of circulatory system do arthropods have?

A

Open.

87
Q

What is haemolymph?

A

The fluid used to exchange nutrients and wastes in an open circulatory system.

88
Q

How do the circulatory systems of insects work?

A

They have a tube-like heart running across their back. It pumps haemolymph freely throughout the insects body.

89
Q

What are ostia?

A

Valves in insect’s hearts that help direct the flow of haemolymph from the rear to the front.

90
Q

Why does haemolymph in open circulatory systems move slowly?

A

It has low pressure.

91
Q

Why do larger animals tend to have closed circulatory systems?

A

Because they need a higher supply of oxygen in order to function and a closed system is much more effective.

92
Q

Are open circulatory systems effective?

A

No, because of the low pressure, haemolymph moves slowly too slowly to be effective.

93
Q

What is a single-loop closed circulatory system?

A

Where the heart only pumps blood through one major loop.

94
Q

What is a double-loop closed circulatory system?

A

Where the heart pumps the blood through two different loops.

95
Q

What are the two loops in a double-loop circulatory system?

A

The pulmonary loop, and the systemic loop.

96
Q

What does the pulmonary loop do?

A

Blood is pumped to the lungs to be oxygenated.

97
Q

What does the systemic loop do?

A

Blood is pumped to all the organs in the body.

98
Q

Which animals have a single-loop circulatory system?

A

Fish.

99
Q

Which side of mammalian heart has a thicker muscle?

A

The left as it is the systemic side. It therefore has to pump blood to the entire body, while the pulmonary side only pumps blood to the lungs.

100
Q

How many heart chambers do most reptiles have?

A

3.

101
Q

What is the function of the arteries?

A

Takes blood away from the heart.

102
Q

What diameter do the blood vessels in arteries have?

A

<18mm

103
Q

What type of tissues are in the walls of arteries?

A

Connective tissue, smooth muscle tissue, elastic fibres, and epithelial tissue.

104
Q

Do arteries have vaves?

A

No.

105
Q

Is the blood in arteries oxygenated?`

A

Yes.

106
Q

What causes blood vessel movement in arteries?

A

Pumping of the heart.

107
Q

What is the role of capillaries?

A

Allow materials to exchange between blood and tissues.

108
Q

What is the diameter of capillaries?

A

5 micrometres.

109
Q

How thick are the walls of capillaries?

A

Very thin (one cell).

110
Q

What type of tissue is found in capillary walls?

A

Epithelial tissue.

111
Q

Do capillaries have valves?

A

No.

112
Q

Is the blood in capillaries oxygenated?

A

Sometimes.

113
Q

What causes movement through capillaries?

A

Blood pressure.

114
Q

What is the function of veins?

A

Take unoxygenated blood to the heart.

115
Q

What is the diameter of veins?

A

<30mm

116
Q

How thick are the walls of veins?

A

Moderately thick.

117
Q

What tissues make up the walls of veins?

A

Connective tissue, smooth muscle tissue, elastic firbres, epithelial tissue.

118
Q

Do veins have valves?

A

Yes.

119
Q

Is the blood in veins oxygenated?

A

No.

120
Q

What causes movement of blood through the veins?

A

Mainly blood pressure, although th skeletal muscles assist. Valves prevent backflow.

121
Q

What components make up blood?

A

Red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma, platelets.

122
Q

What percentage of blood is plasma?

A

54%

123
Q

What is plasma?

A

A yellow fluid that transports the components of the blood.

124
Q

What percentage of blood is red blood cells?

A

45%

125
Q

What is the role of red blood cells?

A

Carry oxygen.

126
Q

What percentage of blood is white blood cells?

A

<1%

127
Q

What do white blood cells do?

A

Help fight disease.

128
Q

What are platelets?

A

They are flat and can stick together, they help clot blood and form scabs.

129
Q

What percentage of blood is platelets?

A

<1%

130
Q

Describe the structure of a RBC.

A

Red in colour and donut shaped.

131
Q

How many haemoglibin proteins are in one RBC?

A

Over 200 million.

132
Q

What role does iron have in transporting oxygen in a RBC?

A

Oxygen is bound to iron in each heme group in haemoglobin.

133
Q

What proteins do muscle cells produce to facilitate contractions?

A

Actin and myosin proteins.

134
Q

Why is the heart able to pump blood involuntarily?

A

Rapid contractions of cardiac muscle.

135
Q

What specialised cells does cardiac muscle have?

A

Cardiocyte muscles.

136
Q

What is the equation for aerobic cellular respiration?

A

glucose + oxygen -> carbon dioxide + water + ATP energy

137
Q

What changes does the small intestine make to blood composition?

A

Adds nutrients from digested food into the blood.

138
Q

What changes does the large intestine make to blood composition?

A

Adds additional water from the digestive system.

139
Q

What changes does the liver make to blood composition?

A

Adds urea to the blood, absorbs sugars and nutrients, removes and processes toxins from the blood.

140
Q

What changes does bone marrow make to blood composition?

A

Adds blood cells into circulation as it is the main site of blood cell production.

141
Q

What changes do kidneys make to blood compositon?

A

Remove urea from the blood, as well as some water and salts.

142
Q

What changes do glands make to blood composition?

A

Release hormones into the blood.

Organisation of Living Things (4 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions