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Summary AQA A-Level Biology – Exchange Between Organisms and their Environment (Unit 3) – Complete Revision Notes

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These notes cover AQA A-Level Biology topic “Organisms Exchange Substances with Their Environment,” including surface area to volume ratio, specialised exchange surfaces, gas exchange in insects, fish and mammals, lung structure, breathing mechanisms, digestion, absorption in the ileum, and transport systems in mammals. The document also explains haemoglobin, oxygen dissociation curves, lung diseases, and circulatory system structure. It is structured as detailed revision material aligned with the AQA specification and suitable for exam preparation.

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,exchange with organisms and environment
-to survive
, organisms transfer material between the internal & external environments
↳ takes
place at exchange surfaces , always involving crossing cell plasma membranes
tissue gloid environment around cells of
multicellular organisms
majority of cells toofar away from exchange surfaces for diffusion alone to supply/ Tissue
·
remove


gloid w/ materials needed to Keep composition relatively constant
various

·
instead , absorbed materials rapidly distributed to tissue fluid & waste returned to exchange
once ,




surface for
I mass transport
removal
system maintains diffusion gradients that bring
materials toA cellsurface membranes
from

-size & metabolic rate affect amount of each material that is exchanged
m
EG
organisms
w/ high metabolic rate exchange
:
materials need larger SAivol more
-
.




reflected type of exchange surface & transport system that evolved to meet
·
in



requirements each organism of




I
exchange of respiratory gases (O2 CO2
minerals)changedeither energydiffusion
=




,


nutrients (glucose gutty acids , ,
amino acids vitamins
, ,
c
,
etc
excretory products Curea CO2 Active metabolic energy AT
·
>
,




Surface Area Volume
:



-materials absorbed used by cells that mostly make up
volume need PSA for
I


effective exchange
-small organisms SAi vol ratio .




as becomes larger at jaster rate than surface
,
vol .
increases area
I

simple diffusion only on outer surfaces
I
can
only meet needs of relatively inactive organisms

cannot directly reach internal
organs
-

as a result adapted
, organisms
·

glattened shape cell too CEG flatworm
:
leaf)
so no
gar from surface ,




specialised exchange wl large ↑SA vol (Ebilungs gills
· :
areas
surfaces
.



,




Features Specialised Exchange Surfaces SAX
difference in conc.
of
-




large SA vol
:
.
=
Prate
of exchange diffusion &
length of diffusion path
-selectively permeable allow selected materials to
=

cross

-

thin short diffusion distance- easily damageddehydrated so located inside body

transportenvironmentalMediummaintain dusingradiente diprion gradient
-



movement
-




Adaptations to Maintain Temperature & Water
Cold environment Theat loss behavioural: eat like nuts /seeds, hibernate
energy goods
-
-
or
may
>
-
physical :
streamlined compact ,
body possibly v/fur insulation
,




desert-overheatingbehariwalspendlotte i water
-




Hot be is
nacan
/ mug

-




Hot/dy desert-water lossbehavioural may be nocturnal :




physical Kidneys produce less >
- :
urine to compensate for water loss in evaporation

, gas exchange in unicellular organisms and insects
Gas Exchange in Unicellular Organisms
-large SAivol .
=


oxygen
absorbed & CO2 excreted by diffusion across body surface only covered by cell-surface
membrane
to
-for digion be effective needs short pathways
,
-
limits size
of
insects
Gas Exchange Insects
in

-




Trachae microscopic network of air-filled tubes

supportedbystrengthenedringtopreventcollapsing roughout all body tissues e
of
insect & penetrate into
individual body cells
diffusion distance
↳ thin walls
short =




highly branched SA
-




gasentersleavestrachethoughpopnexokdetoncalledspiradeson
a
-




-respiratory gases in & out tracheal system in 3
ways
:
move
of
1. )longdifferingradient when cells respire oxygen used up A concentration towards ends of tracheoles
,



creates diffusion gradient to diguse to cells
from atmosphere
·


causing gaseous oxygen ,


CO2 produced by cells respiration in


dision gradient opposite direction causing gaseous CO2 to diffuse from cells to atmosphere
·

in
,




quicker digusion than water

in air




Matt
traction trachea
2 enabling movements
muscles in insects mass in & out
of can
squeeze ,
of air


edu/water Fanaerobic respiration produces lactate (soluble t Doy muscle cells) ,
so water moves in


by osmosis

Spirade ·
water in ends
of
tracheoest in vol., drawing air into them so final diffusion pathway in



gas phase
trachea

also leads to more water evaporation Though ,


trachees
musclegibre


Limiting Water Loss
-interrestrial organisms features that make good gas exchange system that water loss must balance without
same
I



compromising efficiency
increase


air at % saturated /water
gas exchange surface approx
IOO F

.

vapour evaporation of
less water

1. )
Small SA Vol . minimise
:
area over which water lost
is


2 ) Water
.




prod Coverings over Body Surfaces rigid I
outer skeleton of
chitin covered in waterproo cutide
.) Spiracles
3 be closed when at rest
I
can
, typically as needed
for
Oz

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Written in
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Type
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