Exchange (exhchange Between Organisms And Their Enviroment) Flashcards
(118 cards)
What is surface area to volume ratio
The ratio between surface area and volume of an object
What is the ratio when an animal is very small
When a animal is very small it has a larger surface area when compared to its volume which means it has a larger surface area to volume ratio
What is the ratio when an animal is very large
Large animals have a smaller surface area compared to its volume therefore a smaller surface area to volume ratio
What ways do humans adapt their exchange surfaces
Alveoli In lungs
Villi in the small intestine
What have large organisms evolved
Large organisms have evolved one or more of the following features
-a flattened shape so that no cell is ever far from the surface (eg a leaf)
-specialised exchange surfaces with large areas to increase the surface area to volume ratio eg lungs in mammals and gills in fish
What is rate of diffusion dependent on
Surface area - rate of diffusion is directly proportional to the surface area. As the surface area increases the rate of diffusion increases
Concentration gradient - rate of diffusion is directly proportional to the difference in concentration across the gas exchange surface . The greater the concentration gradient the faster the diffusion
Thickness of the gas exchange surface - rate of diffusion is inversely proportional to the thickness of the gas exchange surface. The thicker the surface the slower the diffusion
What’s the structure of a leaf
Wax cuticle , palisade mesophyll , spongy mesophyll , lower epidermis , wax cuticle
What gases move in and out
Co2 diffuses in for photosynthesis and oxygen mainly moves into the air
What do plants need the gases for
Oxygen for respiration and carbon dioxide for photosynthesis
How do they diffuse into the leaf
The gases diffuse into the intercellular spaces of the leaf through pores which are normally on the underside of the leaf called stomata . Opening and closing of stomata is controlled by guard cells
What are the adaptations of a plant leaf for efficient gas exchange
-leaves are flat and often large to give a large surface area for gas exchange from the outside of the leaf
- thin leaves providing a short diffusion distance
-many stomata providing a short diffusion distance
-air spaces mean the gases can readily come in contact with mesophyll cells
-cells are very close to the external air , and therefore a source of oxygen and carbon dioxide
-mesophyll cells are vertical so more can fit also they have a large surface area for rapid diffusion of gases for photosynthesis
What happens to the leaf at night and day
When photosynthesis is taking place although some carbon dioxide comes from respiration of cells , most of it is obtained from the external air . In the same way some oxygen from photosynthesis is used in respiration but most of it diffuses out of the plant
When photosynthesis is not occurring for example in the dark , oxygen diffuses into the leaf because it is constantly being used by cells during respiration and co2 produced diffuses out
What is the function of the air spaces in the leaf
Move co2 and o2 through the leaf
What is the function of the palisade mesophyll
They have many chloroplasts than other plant cells to produce glucose . They are layed out vertical so many of them can be produced into the top layer of the leaf
What is the function of the xylem and phloem
Xylem moves water from roots to leaves ( absorbed from the soil through root hair cells and it is transported through the xylem vessels up the stem to the leaves ), phloem moves food substances from leaves to the rest of the plant . Both of these are rows of cells that make continuous tubes running the full length of the plant .
What’s the function of the stomata and guard cells
They open and close the stomata in the leaf this may occur when the plant has lost an excessive amount of water . They help regulate the rate of water loss . Gases diffuse through the stomata
What is the function of the spongy mesophyll
Not packed tightly together which allows carbon dioxide and oxygen to reach the palisade cells where they are needed in photosynthesis. Not much light
What is the function of the waxy cuticle
Thin , waxy covering to prevent water loss within the leaf by evaporation
What are some adaptations of cacti
They have large stems that can hold and store water for photosynthesis
Some have flowers to promote pollination
Thick waxy cuticle to reduce water loss
Less stomata to minimise water loss while still allowing for gas exchange for photosynthesis
Spines instead of leaves to deter predators
Widespread roots to obtain water From farther away
What is the transpiration stream
The movement of water from the roots through the xylem and out of the leaves
What are xerophytes
plants that are adapted to living in areas where water is in short supply . Without these adaptations plants would become desiccated and die
What is the main way of surviving in habitats where there is a high rate of water loss and limited supply of water
Reduce the rate at which water can be lost through the leaves ( evaporation / transpiration)
How is water lost through a plant
Photosynthesis requires a large leaf surface area for the capture of light and for the exchange of gases , this leads to water being lost because more leaf area means more stomata water is lost through
What do terrestrial plants have
A waterproof covering over parts of the leaves and the ability to close stomata when necessary