Back to AI Flashcard MakerBiology /A-level Biology - 3.1.5 Gas Exchange and the Transport of Oxygen in Living Organisms Part 1
A-level Biology - 3.1.5 Gas Exchange and the Transport of Oxygen in Living Organisms Part 1
This deck covers key concepts related to gas exchange and the transport of oxygen in living organisms, focusing on the needs and adaptations of different organisms.
Why do organisms need to exchange substances with their environment?
Cells need to take in oxygen and nutrients. Cells need to excrete waste products (e.g. carbon dioxide and urea). Most organisms need to stay the same temperature = heat needs to be exchanged.
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Key Terms
Term
Definition
Why do organisms need to exchange substances with their environment?
Cells need to take in oxygen and nutrients. Cells need to excrete waste products (e.g. carbon dioxide and urea). Most organisms need to stay the same ...
Smaller animals have a _____ SA : Volume Ratio
Higher
Why do multicellular organisms need exchange organs and mass transport systems?
∵ diffusion across the outer membrane would be too slow
Why don’t single-celled organisms need exchange organs or mass transport systems?
∵ Substances can diffuse directly into (or out of) cells across cell-surface membrane (diffusion rate is quick)
Name 2 things that cause diffusion across outer membrane to be too slow in multicellular organisms
Cells deep within body. Big distance between them & outside environment. Larger animals = low SA:volume ratio.
What is tissue fluid?
Environment around cells of multicellular organisms
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| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
Why do organisms need to exchange substances with their environment? | Cells need to take in oxygen and nutrients. Cells need to excrete waste products (e.g. carbon dioxide and urea). Most organisms need to stay the same temperature = heat needs to be exchanged. |
Smaller animals have a _____ SA : Volume Ratio | Higher |
Why do multicellular organisms need exchange organs and mass transport systems? | ∵ diffusion across the outer membrane would be too slow |
Why don’t single-celled organisms need exchange organs or mass transport systems? | ∵ Substances can diffuse directly into (or out of) cells across cell-surface membrane (diffusion rate is quick) |
Name 2 things that cause diffusion across outer membrane to be too slow in multicellular organisms | Cells deep within body. Big distance between them & outside environment. Larger animals = low SA:volume ratio. |
What is tissue fluid? | Environment around cells of multicellular organisms |
What is the mass transport system in mammals? | Circulatory system |
What is the mass transport system in plants? | Transport of water and solutes in xylem and phloem |
Name 2 factors that affect heat exchange | Shape, Size |
Animals with compact shape have a ___ surface area relative to their volume which _____ heat loss from their surface | Animals with compact shape have a SMALL surface area relative to their volume which MINIMISIES heat loss from their surface |
What do small animals (with a large surface area) need to stay warm and why? | High metabolic rate to generate enough heat to stay warm ∵ they lose heat easily |
Name 3 gas exchange surfaces adaptations | Large SA, Thin = short diffusion pathway, Steep concentration gradient |
Name 2 ways organisms maintain a steep concentration gradient | Via movement of environmental medium e.g. air, Via transport system = ensure movement of internal medium |
Name 2 features that single-celled organisms have that allow gases to diffuse through their outer surface | Have large surface area, thin surface & short diffusion pathways |
Name the main gas exchange surface in dicotyledonous plants | Surface of mesophyll cells in leaf |
Dicotyledonous Plants Gases move in and out through special pores in epidermis called _____ | stomata |
What do insects use for gas exchange? | Tracheae (microscopic air-filled pipes) |
What are spiracles? | Pores on insects’ surface |
Describe and explain the movement of oxygen into the gas exchange system of an insect when it is at rest | Oxygen is used in aerobic respiration. So oxygen concentration gradient established. Oxygen diffuses in through spiracles, then tracheae & then through tracheoles which go into individual cells. |
How is carbon dioxide removed from insects? | Carbon dioxide from the cells diffuses (down its own concentration gradient) into tracheal tubes and through the spiracles |