Topic 3 - Exchanging substances Flashcards
describe the relationship btwn size and structure of an organism and its SA:V
as size increases, SA:V tends to decrease
more thin/flat/folded/elongated structures increase SA:V
how is SA:V calculated
divide surface area by volume
suggest an advantage of calculating SA:mass for organisms instead of SA:V
easier/quicker to find/more accurate because irrgular shapes
what is metabolic rate
the amount og energy used up by an organism within a given period of time
how could we measure metabolic rate
oxygen uptake as used in aerobic respiration to make ATP for energy release
explain the relationship btwn SA:V and metabolic rate
as SA:V increases, metabolic rate increase because:
- rate of heat loss per unit body mass increases
- organisms need a higher rate of respiration
- to release enough heat to maintain a constant body temperature i.e. replace lost heat
explain the adaptations that facilitate exchange as SA:V reduces in larger organisms
- changes body shape to increase SA:V and overcome long diffusion distance/pathway
- development of systems such as specialised surface/organ for gaseous exchange = increases SA:V and overcomes long diffusion distance/pathway, maintain a concentration gradient for diffusion e.g. ventilation/good blood supply
explain how the body surface of a single celled organism is adapted for gas exchange
- thin flat shape, large SA:V
- short diffusion distance to all parts of cell = rapid diffusion e.g. of O2 CO2
state 3 parts of the tracheal system of an insect
spiracles, tracheae, tracheoles
what are spiracles
pores on surface that can open/close to allow diffusion
what are tracheae
large tubes full of air that allow diffusion
what are tracheoles
smaller branches from tracheae, permeable to allow gas exchange with cells
explain how an insect’s tracheal system is adapted for gas exchange
- tracheloles have thin walls = short diffusion distance to cells
- high numbers of fhighly branched tracheoles = short diffusion distance to cells so large SA
- tracheae provides tubes full of air = fast diffusion
- contraction of abdominal muscles changes pressure in body = air moves in and out so maintains conc. gradient
- fluid in end of tracheoles drawn into tissues by osmosis durinng excercise (lactate produced in anaerobic respiration lowers water potential of cells) = diffusion is fater through air rather than in fluid
explain the structural and functional compromises in terrestrial inisects that allow efficient gas exchange while limitinng water loss
- thick waxy cuticle/exoskeleton = increases diffusion distance so less water is loss
- spiracles can open to allow gas exchannge and close to reduce water loss
- hairs around spiracles trap moist air, reducing water potential gradient so less water loss
expxlain how the gills of fish are adapted for gas exchange
- gills are made of many filaments covered with many lamella = increased surface area for diffusion
- thin lamellae wall/epithelium = short diffusion distance btwn water/blood
- lamellae have a large number of capillaries = removes O2, brings CO2 quickly maintains conc. gradient
what is the counter current flow
- blood and water flow in opposite directions through/over lamellae
- oxygen conc. always higher in water so maintains conc. gradient of O2 btwn water and blood for diffusion along whole length of lamellae
explain how the leaves of dicotyledonous plants are adapted for gas exchange
many stomata (high density) - large SA for gas exchange
spongy mesophyll contains air spaces - large surface area for gases to diffuse through
thin - short diffusion distance
state 7 structures you’d find in a leaf cross section
waxy cuticle, upper and lower epidermis, palisade mesophyll, spongy mesophyll, stomata, guard cell
explain structural and functional compromises in xerophytic plants that allow efiicient gas exchange while limiting water loss
- thicker waxy cuticle increases diffusion distance so less evaporation
- sunken stomato in pets, rolled leaves, hairs = trap water vapour/protect stomata from wind, reduced water potential gradient btwn leaf/air so less evaporation
- spines/needles reduce SA:V
describe the gross structure of the human gas exchange
trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli, capillary network
explain the essential features of the alveolar epithelium that makes it adapted as a surface for gas exchange
flattened cells - 1 cell thick = short diffusion distance
folded = large SA
permeable - allows diffusion of O2, CO2
moist - gases can dissolve for diffusion
good blood supply from large network of capillaries = maintains conc. gradient
describe how gas exchange occurs in the lungs
oxygen diffuses from alveolar air space into blood down its conc. gradient across alveolar epithelium then across capillary endothelium
explain the importance of ventilation
brings in air containing higher conc. of oxygen and removes air w lower conc. of oxygen maintaining conc. gradient
explain how humans breathe in (inspiration)
diaphragm muscles contract - flattens
external intercostal muscles contract, internal intercostal muscles relax - ribcage pulled up and out
increasing volume and decreasing pressure in thoracic cavity
air moves into lungs down pressure gradient