3 Flashcards
How does an organisms surface area to volume ratio effect it’s metabolic rate?
in smaller organisms with a higher SA:V:
- rate of heat loss increases
- higher metabolic rate and respiration
- to generate enough heat to maintain a constant body temperature
Why can’t insects use their bodies as an exchange surface?
They have a small SA:V ratio in order to conserve water
What are the function of spiracles in an insect?
holes on the surface of the body which open and close for gas exchange and to control water loss
What are the function of trachea in an insect?
Tubes which penetrate inside the body carrying air to every tissue
Describe water’s movement in tracheoles of insects during gas exchange
During flight:
- the muscles respire anaerobically
- the water diffuses from the tracheoles into the cell by osmosis
- volume in the tracheoles decreases and air is drawn in
What are the function of the lamellae in fish
- give increased surface area
- blood and water flow across them in opposite directions (countercurrent exchange system)
What are the adaptations of gills?
- each gill is made of many gill filaments which are covered in many lamellae providing a large surface area
- vast network of capillaries on lamellae (remove o2 to maintain a conc gradient)
- thin epithelium so shorter diffusion pathway between water and blood
How do fish maintain flow of water over gills (6m)
- open mouth, operculum shuts
- floor of mouth lowered
- water enters due to lower pressure
- mouth closes, operculum opens
- floor of mouth raised increases pressure
- higher pressure forces water over gills
Why is the countercurrent exchange system in fish efficient?
- water and blood flow over lamellae in opposite directions
- always higher conc of o2 in water than blood
- conc gradient of o2 is maintained along whole length of lamellae so equilibrium is not met
Why is the parallel flow exchange system in fish less efficient?
- Only has a steep diffusion gradient INITIALLY
- equilibrium would be met
What are the two ways fish can ventilate?
Passively and actively (more efficient)
Describe alveoli
- lined with epithelium cells
- walks only 1 cell thick so short diffusion pathway
- network of capillaries
Describe inspiration (breathing in)
- external intercostal muscles contract
- internal intercostal muscles relax
- ribs move up and out
- diaphragm contracts and flattens
- volume of thorax increases
- pressure in thorax decreases
- air pressure outside the lungs is greater so air moves in
(Air moves down a pressure gradient)
What is tidal volume?
The volume of air in each breath
What is breathing rate
Number of breaths we take per minute
How do you calculate pulmonary ventilation rate?
Tidal volume x breathing rate
(Can be measured using a spirometer)
What’s the function of the pleural space
Filled with pleural liquid which prevents lungs rubbing with ribcage
Why is oxygen uptake a measure of metabolic rate in organisms
Oxygen is used in respiration which provides energy
What is digestion
The hydrolysis of large insoluble molecules into small soluble molecules
Where are lipids digested
Small intenstine
Where is amylase found and what is it’s function?
In the mouth
- turns starch into maltose and glucose
by hydrolysing the glycosidic bonds
What are the adaptations of villi?
- many capillaries and lymph vessels = rich blood supply
- microvilli = large surface area
- lacteal connects to the lymph system
How are polysaccharides and disaccharides digested into monosaccharides?
By hydrolysis of the glycosidic bonds
What are the 3 disaccharide enzymes
Maltase, sucrase, lactase