Exchange Flashcards
How do microorganisms obtain nutrients and remove waste
- nutrients (glucose,oxygen) move in by diffusion via their surface
- waste (CO2) moves out by diffusion via their surface
Why are microorganisms able to perform exchange via their surface
- have a large SA to volume ratio
- short diffusion distance
- have low demand
Why can’t plants/animals perform exchange via their surface
- have a small SA to volume ratio
- large diffusion distance
- require specialised systems
Why do fish have specialised gas exchange systems
- they have a small SA to volume ratio
- large diffusion distance
- so can’t perform gas exchange via their surface, require specialised system called gills
What is gas exchange
oxygen in, carbon dioxide out
Structure of gills in fish
- many gill filaments and lamellae; increase surface area
- lamellae have thin walls so have a short diffusion distance
What does ventilation do in fish
brings in pure water, high oxygen low carbon dioxide
What does circulation do in fish
brings in deoxygenated blood, low oxygen high carbon dioxide
What is the counter-current flow
water and blood pass over in opposite directions, maintaining the concentration gradient along the lamellae
Why do insects have specialised gas exchange systems
- small SA to volume ratio
- large diffusion distance
- so can’t perform gas exchange via their surface, require specialised system called tracheal system
Structure of tracheal system in insects
- starts with openings on body surface called spiracles; spiracles contain valves, if open, gas exchange, if closed, preventing water loss
- spiracles connect to trachea
- trachea connect to tracheoles
- tracheoles connect directly to respiring cells
How does gas exchange occur in tracheal system of insects
- at rest, down a concentration gradient, oxygen moves in, co2 moves out via simple diffusion
- when active, by ventilation, air inhaled for mass flow of oxygen, air exhaled for mass flow of co2
Function of the lungs
site of gas exchange in mammals
Components of the lungs
- trachea
- bronchi
- bronchioles
- alveoli
Function of trachea, bronchi and bronchioles
transport of air and filter (bronchioles also control how much air reaches alveoli)
Adaptation of alveoli
- million of folded microvilli (large surface area)
- one cell thick (short diffusion distance)
- ventilation maintains concentration gradient
Adaptation of capillaries
- one cell thick (short diffusion distance)
- narrow lumen (increases diffusion time, decreases diffusion distance)
- cirvulation maintains concentration gradient
How does oxygen move from alveoli to capillaries
by simple diffusion passing through alveolar epithelium and capillary epithelium
How does CO2 move from capillaries to alveoli
by simple diffusion passing through capillary epithelium and alveolar epithelium
Describe the process of breathing in/inhalation
- external intercostal muscles contract, rib cage moves up and out
- diaphragm contracts (flattens)
- increase in volume, decrease in pressure
- air moves in
Describe the process of breathing out/exhalation
- external intercostal muscles relax, rib cage moves down and in
- diaphragm relaxes
- decrease in volume, increase in pressure
- air moves out
What is pulmonary ventilation
volume of air breathed in/out per minute
Formula for pulmonary ventilation
PV = tidal volume (volume of air breathed in/out in one breath) x ventilation rate (number of breaths per minute)
Function of intestines
site of exchange of digested nutrients in mammals