Gas Exchange Flashcards
What is the total oxygen requirement of an organism proportional to?
Its total volume
What is proportional to the organisms surface area?
The rate of absorption of oxygen
What has an organism done if it has increased in size?
Developed different adaptations to overcome these problems
What are the 5 common features of surface areas?
- Large surface area relative to volume
- Permeable
- Thin
- Moist - potential region of water loss
- Mechanism to maintain diffusion gradients
How can large surface area be obtained in small organisms?
The large surface area can be formed by the folding of the exchange surface
Why is being permeable important to an exchange surface?
This allows easy diffusion of gases
Why is being thin important to an exchange surface?
It creates a short diffusion pathway, as diffusion is only effective across less than 1mm.
How far is diffusion effective?
Less than 1mm
Why is being moist important to an exchange surface?
O2, CO2 and nutrients diffuse in solution
Why is having a mechanism to maintain diffusion gradients important to an exchange surface?
Transport system, ventilation mechanism or creation of currents across surface allows for exchange.
What are the 3 mechanisms to maintain diffusion gradients?
- Transport System
- Ventilation Mechanism
- Creation of currents across a surface
What adaptation have terrestrial vertebrates made for gas exchange with air?
Internal Lungs
What is the epiglottis?
a flap of cartilage behind the root of the tongue, which is depressed during swallowing to cover the opening of the windpipe.
What are the similarities and differences between the trachea and bronchi?
Similar in structure
Different in size
What is the inner surface of the trachea and bronchi covered in?
Ciliated Epithelium
What is the function of ciliated cells?
Rhythmic wave like movement moves mucus to top of trachea where it is swallowed
What are the 3 functions of goblet cells?
- Secrete sticky mucus containing glycoprotein
- Protects from dehydration, traps microbes and dust
- Lysozyme also present which causes bacterial lysis
What is the function of cartilage ?
Holds the airway open during inhalation and exhalation throughout the pressure changes to prevent collapse.
Where is cartilage found?
In the trachea and bronchi
What shape is the cartilage found in the trachea?
C- shaped rings
What shape is the cartilage found in the bronchi?
In irregular blocks
What is found on the inside of the cartilage?
Smooth muscle
What is the function of the smooth muscle in cartilage during exercise?
Relax during exercise to allow more air into the lungs
What causes asthma attacks?
Contracts during asthma which causes constriction and breathlessness
What recoils during exhalation?
Elastic Fibres
What are the three features of the alveoli that make them good for gaseous exchange?
- They provide an enormous surface area
- Their surface is moist so gases can dissolve in the moisture and diffuses through the epithelial lining
- The walls are thin providing a short diffusion pathway
Why is it important that alveoli are well ventilated?
Because ventilation movement ensure air is inhaled and exhaled from the lungs
Why do alveoli have a good blood supply?
Because they are covered with an extensive network of capillaries
Why do the alveoli have a maintained diffusion gradient?
Because blood is always moving taking oxygen away and bringing carbon dioxide
What three structural features of alveoli walls are important?
- They are a single layer of squamous epithelium cells
- Thin flattened cells
- Adjacent blood capillaries are also lined with squamous endothelium
What allows alveoli to stretch and why is this so important?
Its elastic fibres, alveoli stretch during inhalation and recoil during exhalation to force the air out
What acts as a lubricant on the alveoli to maintain the moisture on its surface? What is its function?
Surfactant (detergent) lubricant, which reduces cohesion of water molecules and so prevent collapse of alveoli when breathing out.
What type of ventilation do mammals use?
Mammals ventilate their lungs by creating a negative pressure in the lungs which draws air in
What is the purpose of negative pressure ventilation?
The negative pressure created in the lungs draws air in
What does a positive pressure in the lungs cause?
Forces air out of the lungs
What are the lungs surrounded by in humans?
Two membranes called the pleural membrane
What is the function of the fluid in the pleural membrane?
Acts as a lubricator and a shock absorber
What is the function of the pleural membrane?
Ensures the thorax in air tight which allows for the change in pressure during ventilation
What is inspiration?
Inhalation- when a fresh supply of O2 is brought in to maintain the O2 concentration gradient
What is expiration?
Exhalation - removes waste air with its cargo of CO2 to maintain the CO2 gradient
What is the first step of inspiration ? HINT: (Ribs)
External intercostal muscles contract, pulling the ribcage upwards and outwards
What occurs with the pleural membrane during inspiration?
This pulls out the pleural membrane, reduces pressure in the pleural cavity and the inner pleural membrane moves outwards. This pulls on the surface of the lungs and causes the alveoli to expand.
What does the diaphragm do during inhalation?
Diaphragm contracts, pulling it from a domed shaped into a flattened shape.
What are the three combined effects of inspiration?
- Volume of the thorax and lungs increase
- Alveolar pressure is reduced to below atmospheric pressure
- Air is drawn into the lungs (goes down the pressure gradient)
What is the first stage of relaxed expiration? HINT: Ribs
Externals intercostal muscles relax and the ribcage falls under its own weight
What happens to the diaphragm during relaxed expiration?
Diaphragm relaxes and gut pressure pushes it back into its domed shape
What happens in the lungs during relaxed expiration?
Elastic recoil of lung tissue
What is the combined effect of relaxed expiration?
- Volume of the thorax and lungs decrease
- Pressure is increased
- Air is forced out
What happens to the intercostal muscles and ribcage during forced expiration?
Internal intercostal muscles contract, pulling the ribcage down and in
What happens to the abdominal muscles during forced expiration?
Abdominal muscles contract pushing the diaphragm upwards