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A-level Biology - 3.1.5 Gas Exchange and the Transport of Oxygen in Living Organisms Part 1

Biology20 CardsCreated about 2 months ago

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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TermDefinition
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