topic 3A - exchange Flashcards
what is surface area?
the total area of the organism that is exposed to the external environment
what is volume?
total amount of space inside the organism
the larger the animal, the _____ the surface area-to-volume ratio
smaller
do surface area and volume increase at the same rate?
no, volume increases much more rapidly than surface area as size increases
adaptations of single-celled organisms for exchange:
-the large surface area allows for maximum absorption
-the small volume means the diffusion distance is short
disadvantages of surface area and volume as the size of an organism increases (for exchange)
-less surface area for the absorption of nutrients and secretion of waste products
-greater volume results in a longer diffusion distance to the cells and tissues of the organism
why is a specialised system needed for gas exchange?
supply of oxygen:
-organisms need ATP to carry out biochemical processes
-most ATP is produced through aerobic respiration which requires oxygen
removal of carbon dioxide:
-carbon dioxide is a toxic waste product of aerobic respiration
-if it accumulates in cells/tissues it alters the pH
why isn’t diffusion viable for large multicellular organisms but it is for single called organisms?
-in single celled organisms, oxygen can diffuse across the cell wall and membrane of the organisms
-reaching the centre of the organisms would be a quick process
-if the cell was larger, diffusion time would increase
-the time taken for oxygen to diffuse from the cell-surface membrane to the tissues would be too long for a multicellular organism
what is metabolic rate?
the amount of energy expended by that organism within a given period of time
what is basal metabolic rate (BMR)?
the metabolic rate of an organism when at rest
what does the body need energy for during rest periods?
the functioning of vital organs
(heart, lungs)
how can metabolic rate be measured?
-oxygen consumption
-carbon dioxide production
-heat production
metabolic rate & body mass:
the greater the mass of an organism, the higher the metabolic rate
(eg: a single rhino consumes more oxygen within a given period of time compared to a single mouse)
BMR & animal sizes:
BMR is higher in smaller animals than in larger animals
why is BMR higher in smaller animals than larger animals?
-smaller animals have a greater SA:V ratio → they lose more heat
-they have to use up more energy to maintain their body temperature
what apparatus can be used to investigate metabolic rates in organisms?
-respirometers
-oxygen/carbon dioxide probes
-calorimeters
effective exchange surfaces in organisms have:
-a large surface area
-short diffusion distance
-concentration gradient (maintained)
how does a thin diffusion distance contribute to a good exchange surface?
more molecules can cross the surface per unit time
how does a steep diffusion gradient contribute to a good exchange surface?
-greater difference in concentration increases rate of diffusion
-more molecules can cross the surface per unit time
how much contact do multicellular organisms have with the environment?
-outer cells in contact with environment
-inner cells have no contact with environment
how much contact do unicellular organisms have with the environment?
-whole cell surface is in contact with environment
-they exchange molecules over their whole outer surface
define metabolic demand
how much oxygen and nutrients an organism needs to take in daily to
respire enough to maintain the metabolic rate
heat transfer & animals with a large surface area:
transfer heat to their surroundings more quickly than those with a smaller surface area
heat transfer & animals with a small surface area:
-molecules & heat have to pass across layers of cells → heat is lost & gained slower
what is gas exchange?
the process by which oxygen is acquired
and carbon dioxide is removed
what do exchange surfaces provide?
the means for gases to enter or leave the body
exterior of an insect
-rigid exoskeleton
-waxy coating that is impermeable to gases
what have insects developed for gas exchange?
a breathing system that delivers oxygen directly to all the organs and tissues of their bodies
what is a spiracle?
an opening in the exoskeleton of an insect which has valves
what does a spiracle do?
it allows air to enter the insect and flow into the system of tracheae
are spiracles open or closed most of the time?
most of the time, the spiracle is closed to reduce water loss
what are tracheae?
tubes within the insect breathing system which lead to tracheoles (narrower tubes)
contents of the walls of the tracheae:
the walls have reinforcement that keeps them open as the air pressure inside them fluctuates
where do tracheoles run?
between cells and into the muscle fibres
what is the site of gas exchange in insects?
the muscle fibres
how is a concentration gradient created in insects?
oxygen is used by respiring tissues allowing more to move in through the spiracles by diffusion
movement of carbon dioxide in an insect:
carbon dioxide produced by the respiring tissues moves out through the spiracles down a concentration gradient
which insects is the tracheae and tracheole system sufficient for?
for smaller insects, this system provides sufficient oxygen via diffusion
what do very active/flying insects need?
a more rapid intake of oxygen
how do very active insects create a mass flow of air into the tracheal system?
-closing the spiracles
-using muscles to create a pumping movement for ventilation
what is produced when insects fly and what does this do?
-lactate is produced in the respiring muscles
-the water potential of muscle cells lowers
-water found at ends of the tracheoles is then drawn into the respiring muscle by osmosis
-this allows gases to diffuse across more quickly
exterior of fish:
waterproof
oxygen and water:
-oxygen dissolves less readily in water
-a set volume of water contains much less oxygen than the same volume of air
how do fish adjust to the lack of oxygen in water?
fish are adapted to directly extract oxygen from water (gills)
structure of fish gills in bony fish:
-series of gills on each side of the head
-each gill arch is attached to two stacks of filaments
-on the surface of each filament, there are rows of lamellae
-the lamellae surface consists of a single layer of flattened cells that cover a vast network of capillaries
fish mechanisms: capillary system purpose
ensures that the blood flow is in the opposite direction to the flow of water
(counter-current system)
what does the counter current system ensure?
-a concentration gradient is maintained along the whole length of the capillary
-oxygen continually moves from the water into the blood
what is it called when water and blood flow in opposite directions?
countercurrent flow
what would happen if parallel flow occurred in fish?
equilibrium would be reached and no oxygen would pass into the blood via diffusion
how are the gills of a fish are adapted for efficient gas exchange?
lamellae/filaments → increase surface area
large number of capillaries → maintains a diffusion gradient
thin epithelium / lamellae wall →
short diffusion pathway
what happens when water enters the mouth of a fish?
it passes over the gills
describe how fish maintain a flow of water over their gills
1) mouth opens, operculum shuts
2) floor of mouth is lowered
3) water enters due to decreased pressure & increased volume of the mouth (pressure is higher outside the mouth of the fish and so water flows in)
4) mouth closes, operculum opens
5) floor is raised which results in increased pressure/ decreased volume
6) increased pressure pushes water over the gills
what do plants need to carry out photosynthesis?
an adequate supply of carbon dioxide
mechanisms of dicotyledonous plants for gas exchange:
1) when the guard cells are turgid, the stoma remains open allowing air to enter the leaf
2) the air spaces within the spongy mesophyll layer allows carbon dioxide to rapidly diffuse into cells
3) the carbon dioxide is quickly used up in photosynthesis by cells containing chloroplasts - maintaining the concentration gradient
3) no active ventilation is required as the thinness of the plant tissues and the presence of stomata helps to create a short diffusion pathway
why is the exchange of gases from the atmosphere essential for the survival of organisms?
-oxygen is required for respiration
-carbon dioxide is required for photosynthesis
examples of vital functions of water within plants :
-solvent that facilitates the transport of essential nutrients
-extreme water loss can lead to death
the relationships between water loss & gas exchange
scientists have observed in organisms that adaptations that reduce water loss negatively affect gas exchange and vice versa
the balance between water loss & gas exchange:
(+ examples)
-compromises have been made in organisms to ensure that there is a sufficient supply of both water and gases
(eg: terrestrial insects and xerophytic plants)
habitats of terrestrial insects:
small insects living on the ground are surrounded by air and prone to drying out
exoskeleton of terrestrial insects:
-possess a waterproof exoskeleton that prevents water loss
-the waterproof waxy coating of the exoskeleton makes gas exchange by diffusion very difficult
what do terrestrial insects have in order to combat issues with the exoskeleton?
-insects have evolved a tracheal system which consists of many tubes that carry oxygen directly to all tissues and cells of the body
-spiracles are connected to the tracheal system
what are xerophytes?
plants that can tolerate dry/arid conditions due to the presence of a number of adaptations
adaptations of xerophytes:
-very few stomata / sunken stomata
-stomata in pits, with hairs surrounding
-thick, waxy cuticle
-reduced or rolled leaves
-low growth
-CAM physiology
how having less stomata helps xerophytes:
less water loss as fewer pores
how having sunken stomata helps xerophytes:
water loss is minimised as moist air is trapped and diffusion gradient reduced
how having stomata in pits, with hairs surrounding helps xerophytes:
traps water vapour and reduces transpiration