Adaptations for Gas Exchange Flashcards
what happens as a result of a cell increasing in size?
diffusion pathway gets longer
slower diffusion
diffusion will not meet the cell’s needs such as supplying nutrients like oxygen and glucose and removing waste like carbon dioxide
define gas exchange
process of oxygen into cells/blood and removing carbon dioxide
define ventilation
process of bringing an exchange medium like air or water to and from an exchange surface
define respiration
hydrolysis of glucose to form ATP/phosphorylation of ADP
what must happen for an organism to become larger?
a number of cells must come together so it becomes multicellular
describe 5 factors of unicellular organisms such as amoebas
extremely large surface area to volume ratio
gas exchange occurs across the whole surface
permeable membrane allowing diffusion of gases
specialised gas exchange organs are not needed
diffusion is sufficient to meet the oxygen requirements of the organism
describe 3 factors of a flatworm which is a simple multicellular organism
this organism has evolved a flattened shape to overcome the problem of an increase in size
this increases their surface area to volume ratio so no cell in the body is far from the surface so there is no need for specialised gas exchange organs as it has a short diffusion pathway
they exchange gases directly with the environment by diffusion and diffusion across the permeable membrane is sufficient to meet the oxygen requirements of the organism
describe 6 factors of an earthworm which is a simple multicellular organism
developed a tubular shape and is restricted to damp environments
worms secrete mucus to keep the cells of the body surface moist allowing gases to dissolve and diffuse
elongated shape provides a large surface area to volume ratio compared with a compact organism of similar volume
they exchange gases directly with the environment by diffusion across the moist surface since blood vessels are close to the body surface so gases can diffuse in/out of the blood and then across the cells covering the body surface
blood circulates in the vessels maintaining a conc. gradient for diffusion of oxygen into the cells and carbon dioxide out
blood contains the respiratory pigment haemoglobin to carry oxygen to body cells
why do multicellular organisms require a specialised gas exchange surface? give 8 points
as the size of an organism increases its surface area to volume ratio decreases
diffusion across the body is insufficient to provide enough oxygen for organism to survive
larger organisms are more metabolically active so have a higher oxygen demand
diffusion pathway across body surface is too large and rate of diffusion is too slow
so larger multicellular organisms need a specialised gas exchange surface between the organism and its external environment
they are provided with a large area of gas exchange surfaces to increase surface area for diffusion
they also need a method of circulation to distribute the gases around the body
many animals have a toughened body surface so gave internal gas exchange surfaces like lungs
in order to achieve maximum rate of diffusion all respiratory surfaces must be: list 4 things
large surface area to volume ratio
thin
moist
permeable
what additional features increase the efficiency of gas exchange in organisms which possess a circulatory system and respiratory pigment?
extensive blood supply surrounding the exchange surface because a circulatory system helps to maintain conc. gradient increasing the rate of diffusion
respiratory pigments such as haemoglobin which increase the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood
why do insects need a good supply of oxygen for respiration?
since they fly which requires a lot of energy
why is an insects’ gas exchange system different to other animals?
they don’t use blood to transport gases
how does air go into the insect?
it diffuses into the insect through paired holes called spiracles running along each side of the body. these spiracles lead to a system of branched chitin-lined air tubes called trachea
the spiracles can open and close like valves. why is this important?
when its open it allows oxygen in for respiration but when closed it is to reduce water loss
how do insects ventilate during periods of activity?
at rest, simple diffusion of gases meets the oxygen needs of the insect, during flight movements of the abdomen ventilate the trachea with the aid of air sacs off the trachea
describe the gas exchange surface of insects
the trachea branch repeatedly until they end as very fine thin-walled tracheoles. oxygen diffuses directly from the ends of the tracheoles into the cells and carbon dioxide diffuses out of the cells into the tracheoles. the surface of the tracheoles is lined with chitin which keeps the airways open during body movements while allowing some flexibility
give 4 advantages of the tracheal system for gas exchange
oxygen is supplied directly to tissues
no respiratory pigment needed
oxygen diffuses faster in air than in blood
spiracles close to reduce water loss
what is the disadvantage of the insect tracheal system?
only efficient in smaller organisms and chitin is heavy so it would slow the insect down if it was too large
why are the gas exchange organs retained inside the body of all terrestrial organisms?
reduces water loss
reduces heat loss
protection by the ribs or exoskeleton in insects
what problems are caused by living in water?
less oxygen in water than air
rate of diffusion lower than water
water is more dense so doesn’t flow as easily
what two groups can fish be categorised in?
cartilaginous fish
bony fish
describe cartilaginous fish eg sharks
have a skeleton made entirely of cartilage
nearly all live in sea water
5 gill clefts behind the head on each side
water is taken in the mouth and is forced through the gill slits when the floor of the mouth is raised
gas exchange involves parallel flow: blood in the capillaries circulates in the same direction as water flowing over the gills
describe bony fish eg herring
have an internal skeleton made of bone
gills are covered with a flap called the operculum
live in freshwater and seawater
gas exchange involves counter-current flow : blood in the gill capillaries circulates in the opposite direction as water flowing over the gills
usually 4 gills on each side