Properties: Large surface area.
Thin(Short diffusion path)
Moist. Has a concentration
gradient . permeable
As an organism gets bigger, its surface area gets smaller
The volume of an organism increases much faster than the surface area
Larger organisms have had to evolve systems and organs to increase the avaliable surface for
gas exchange. They also need a system to transport gases to and from the exchange surface
Earthworm Adaptations
They carry out gas exchange by diffusion
Large S.A
Blood containing haemoglobin
(high affinity for oxygen)
Well developed Capillary network
Low metabollic rate
Human Lungs
Inspiration
Intercostals contract.
Ribcage moves up and
out. Diaphragm
muscles contract and
flatten. Volume of
thorax increases.
Pressure of air in
thorax reduces below
atmospheric
Expiration
Intercostals relax.
Rib cage moves in
and down.
Diaphragm muscles
relax and become
dome shaped.
Volume of thorax
decreases. Pressure
of air in thorax
increases above
atmospheric
Insect gas exchange
Relies on diffusion
During periods of movement, the
abdomen ventilate the trachea
Simple respiratory system with spiracles, oxygen enters spiracles as they are valve like openings
Large terrestrial animals adaptations
Largely folded exchange surface
Internal lungs to avoid desiccation
Layer of moisture around lungs for gases to dissolve in
Constant blood supply = conc gradient maintained
Fish
high metabollic rate
Cartilaginous Fish use Parallel/ concurrent flow- where
water and blood flow across the gills in the same direction
Bony fish use counter current flow- where blood and
water flow across the gills in opposite directions
In this Equilibrium is NOT reached
The % of oxy in water is always higher
than the blood so conc gradient is
maintained
Gill Adaptations
Large s.a
Short diffusion path
Rich supply of blood vessels
Ventilation mechanism to maintain conc gradient
Ventillation (fish)
WATER IN:
Mouth open, opercular
valve closed, floor of mouth
lowered, volume increases
insde mouth cavity,
pressure in cavity lowers,
water flows in from a HIGH
pressure to a LOW pressure
WATER OUT:
Mouth closed, opercular valve
open, floor of mouth raised,
volume decreases inside mouth
cavity, pressure in cavity
increases, water is forced OVER
THE GILLS and out the
OPERCULAR VALVE
Stomatal opening
Stomata open because...
1. K+ ions are pumped into guard cells by
active transport- which requires ATP
2. Starch is converted into malate
ions inside guard cells
3. Malate ions and K+ lower the W.P inside guard cells
4. Water moves into the guard cells by
osmosis down a W.P gradient
5. The guard cells become turgid
6. due to the thickened inner wall of the guard cell,
the cells curve apart and the stomata open