3:Exchange and Transport Flashcards
(137 cards)
What are the standard exchange surface characteristics?
- Large SA:V
- Thin, for a short diffusion pathway
- Moist, allows molecules to dissolve so they can diffuse
- Maintain a steep concentration
What happens to the SA:V the bigger an organism?
Surface area to volume ratio decreases
What is the pathway of air entering a locusts?
Spiracle —> Trachea —> Tracheole —> Indiviual cells
Describe the intake of airflow process in a locust?
1) Air flows through spiracles (each segment has a pair of spiracles)
2) Air travels from the tracheal tubes which run from the body surface to the tissues
3) Tracheal tubes branch off into a series of tracheoles which reach cells/tissue
What are the two ways gas exchange takes place in an insect?
- Diffusion gradient
- Ventilation by rhythmic abnormal movements
How does ventilation by rhythmic abnormal movements help gas exchange?
It further speeds up the exchange of respiratory gases by generating mass movement in and out of the tubes
Why do insects have a separate tracheal system instead of relying on blood to transport oxygen around the body?
- Insects have an open circulation -> they cannot easily direct the flow of blood to tissue that need it most
- Insects rely on diffusion and exchange of oxygen as a gas is more efficient
Why is the tracheal fluid withdrawn into the body when the tissue is very active?
This is to increase the surface area over which the exchange can occur
What is trachea in an insects exchange system lined with?
Chitin
Describe the pathway of gas exchange in fish.
1) The mouth is opened and the floor of the buccal cavity is lowered, this increases the volume and decreases the pressure so that water flows in
2) The volume of the operculum cavity is then increased and its pressure decreases. The floor of the buccal cavity starts to move up to increase the pressure
3) Water flows from buccal cavity to the operculum cavity where the gills are found
4) Gases can be exchanged between the blood in blood capillaries of the lamellae and water
Why is a countercurrent flow system used in fish?
In parralel flow, the concentration gradient will level out when the oxygen level in the blood and water are at 50%. Therefore diffusion stops.
However in countercurrent flow, the blood will continue to absorb oxygen from water as the concentration gradient doesn’t level out.
What are the adaptations of gills?
- several gill filaments and gill lamellar to increase the surface area
- gill filaments are thin for short diffusion path
- gill lamellar have a good blood supply and countercurrent mechanisms to maintain a high concentration gradient
Outline the passage of air in the mammalian gas exchange system?
Nose/mouth —> Trachea —> Bronchi —> Bronchioles —> Alveoli
What are the features of the trachea?
- Lined with ciliated epithelium
- Surrounded by ‘C’ shaped cartilage rings
- Surrounded by smooth muscles
Why does the trachea have ‘C’ shaped cartilage rings?
Protects it from collapse and provides support
What does the trachea have smooth muscles?
They contract and relax to increase and decrease the diameter of the trachea
What are the features of the bronchi?
- branched into 2 bronchus
- lined with ciliated epithelium (but less goblet cells than trachea)
- cartilage is irregular not in rings allowing more flexibility
- contains elastic fibres and smooth muscles
What are the features of the bronchioles?
- no cartilage or goblet cells
- walls contain smooth muscles
- it has elastic fibres
What is the passage of air in the different types of bronchioles?
Bronchiole —> Terminal Bronchiole —> Respiratory Bronchiole —> Alveolar Duct
What are the features of the alveoli?
- moist lining
- single cell thick lining of epithelial cells
- surrounded by very thin blood capillaries (usually one cell thick)
- contains elastic fibres
- contains lung surfactants
Why does the alveoli have a moist lining?
So gases can dissolve and diffuse faster
What is the lung surfactant?
A phospholipid that coats the surfaces of the lungs
Why do alveoli need lung surfactants?
Without it, the watery lining of the alveoli would create a surface tension which would cause them to collapse.
Is inspiration (inhaling) an active or passive process?
Active process