What kind of SA:V ratio do small organism have
A large one
Gas exchange in single celled organisms
Substances just diffuse across body surface
What features does insects have for gas exchange
What supports the trachea
Rings of cartilage so it doesn’t collapse
Why are do the tracheoles allow quick diffusion
Because they are directly next to cells allowing air to be directly brought to the respiring tissue
What 3 ways are gases moved in the insect tracheal system
How do gases move in the insect tracheal system along a diffusion gradient
How do gases move in the insect tracheal system by mass transport
The contraction of muscles in insects can squeeze the trachea -> this allows mass movements of air in and out of
How do gases move in the insect tracheal system due to tracheoles being water filled
What are spiracles
Pores on the body surface of an insect which open and close by a valve to let substances in and out of the
What are the limitations of the insect tracheal system
Structure of the gills
They are made up of gill filaments which have gill lamellae at a right angle
-> these increase surface area
What is the countercurrent flow
The flow of water over the gill lamellae and the flow of blood within them are in opposite directions
Why is the countercurrent so important
What is flow in the same direction called
Parallel flow
Why is countercurrent flow better than parallel flow
Parallel flow would mean the diffusion gradient would only be maintained across part of the length of the gill lamellae and only half the available oxygen would be absorbed by the blood
What adaptations do plant leaves have for gas exchange
What do the stomata do
What adaptations do insects have to reduce water loss
What are xerophytes
Plants that have many adaptations to limit water loss through transpiration
Adaptations of xerophytes
What do all aerobic organisms require a constant supply of and why
Oxygen to release energy in the form of ATP in respiration
What supports lungs
Ribcage
Why are lungs inside the body opposed to outside