Exchange Surfaces and Transport in Animals Flashcards
(174 cards)
can the cell membrane be an exchange surface for small organisms?
Yes
do small organisms have a high or low metabolic rate?
Low
do small organisms have a low or high surface area to volume ratio?
A high surface area to volume ratio
how do you calculate the surface area to volume ratio?
Surface area/volume
(SA:1)
in insects has the gas exchange system evolved to provide oxygen directly to cells?
Yes
do the specialised transport systems in insects transport oxygen or nutrients?
Nutrients
what is the surface of an insect covered with?
An exoskeleton
What is an insects exoskeleton make out of?
The polysaccharide chitin
Why do insects need spiracles on their exoskeleton?
So that gases like oxygen and carbon dioxide can diffuse into the insect
What do the spiracles lead to ?
The trachea
what is the diameter of the trachea in insects?
1mm
is the diameter of the trachea in insects larger or smaller than the diameter of the trachea in animals?
Smaller
What are walls of the trachea in insects made up of?
Chitin
What are walls of the trachea in animals made up of?
cartilage
Why does the trachea in insects need chitin?
To prevent the trachea from collapsing
What extends from the trachea in insects?
Very fine tubes called tracheoles
What is the diameter of tracheoles?
1 micrometre or less
is each tracheole a single cell?
Yes
are tracheoles supported by chitin?
No
Why is there a short diffusion distance between the tracheoles and the insects cells?
-because tracheoles have a narrow diameter
-because tracheoles are extremely close to cells
What is the oxygen from the tracheoles needed by the cells for?
Aerobic respiration, which produces carbon dioxide
What are the ends of the tracheoles filled with ?
tracheal fluid
Why does water from the tracheal fluid move into the insect cells during intense activity?
-Because during intense activity, cells around the tracheoles undergo anaerobic respiration and this produces lactic acid.
-This lowers the water potential of the cells and causes water to move from the tracheoles into the cells by osmosis.
-This reduces the volume of the tracheal fluid, drawing air down into the tracheoles
is gas exchange in insects an active or a passive process?
A passive process