Module 3.1.1 - Exchange surfaces Flashcards
What size cells have a larger SA:V ratio?
Smaller cells
What size cells have a smaller SA:V ratio?
Larger cells
What have larger organisms developed a range of?
Different adaptations to increase the ratio at their exchange surfaces
How do you work out the SA of a sphere?
4πr^2
How do you work out the volume of a sphere?
4/3πr^3
What does the alveoli in the lungs increasing the SA:V ratio allow?
For more effective exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the alveoli and the blood capillaries
How many alveoli does an adult lung contain?
About 480 million which provides a SA of about 70m^2
What does the lateral extension on the root hair cell of a plant do?
Increases the SA of the cell which increases the rate of absorption of nutrients from the soil
What is Fick’s Law?
Rate of diffusion ∝ (surface area x con c difference) ÷ thickness of membrane
What is the trachea surrounded by?
16-20 rings of hyaline cartilage which are c shaped
What does the cartilage surrounding the trachea do?
Supports it to help it from collapsing
Why is the cartilage surrounding the trachea c-shaped?
To allow the trachea to expand when breathing
What do ligaments connect together?
Rings around the trachea and a smooth muscle called trachealis muscle
What does the trachealis muscle do?
Bridges the gap of the cartilage ends
What is the trachea lined with?
Ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium
Where are goblet cells located?
In between CPCE
What do goblet cells do?
Release mucus to trap pathogens. Cilia then wafts the pathogens back up to the mouth where they are swallowed and killed by HCL acid in the stomach
What does the 4th thoracic vertebra do?
Branches into left and right main bronchi (primary bronchi)
How do the bronchi branch of into each section?
The primary bronchi enters the lungs at a point called the hilum and branch into secondary bronchi, which in turn branch into tertiary bronchi
What happens to the airways as the bronchi divides?
They get narrower
What does the tertiary bronchi do?
Divides into 4th, 5th and 6th order tertiary bronchi and once the airways become too narrow to be supported by cartilage, they become bronchioles
What are bronchioles?
Formed when tertiary bronchi become too narrow to be supported by cartilage
What is the structure of bronchioles?
Their walls don’t have hyaline cartilage so rely on elastic fibres that are attached to surrounding lung tissues for support
What happens as bronchioles get smaller?
They divide into terminal bronchioles which finally divide into respiratory bronchioles and this marks the start of the respiratory zone where air is delivered to the alveoli for gas exchange
What is the respiratory zone?
Where air is delivered to the alveoli for gas exchange
What is the epithelium?
At the start of the bronchioles is simple ciliated columnar epithelium and changes to simple cuboidal epithelium as the size decreases
What is the average surface area of an alveoli?
70cm^2
What does the alveoli have?
A moist lining that gases will dissolve in, before moving across the membrane by simple diffusion
What does the surfactant do to the alveoli?
Keeps alveoli inflated and has a liquid inside of the alveoli
What is the structure of the epithelial cells lining the alveoli?
Thin and flattened (squamous), can fit closely together to form tissues
What is each lung enclosed within?
A pleural sac