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Biology AS AQA

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  1. 1-1-biological-molecules-carbohydrates
    11 主题
  2. 1-2-biological-molecules-lipids
    3 主题
  3. 1-3-biological-molecules-proteins
    5 主题
  4. 1-4-proteins-enzymes
    12 主题
  5. 1-5-nucleic-acids-structure-and-dna-replication
    8 主题
  6. 1-6-atp-water-and-inorganic-ions
    4 主题
  7. 2-1-cell-structure
    7 主题
  8. 2-2-the-microscope-in-cell-studies
    4 主题
  9. 2-3-cell-division-in-eukaryotic-and-prokaryotic-cells
    8 主题
  10. 2-4-cell-membranes-and-transport
    9 主题
  11. 2-5-cell-recognition-and-the-immune-system
    7 主题
  12. 2-6-vaccines-disease-and-monoclonal-antibodies
    6 主题
  13. 3-1-adaptations-for-gas-exchange
    6 主题
  14. 3-2-human-gas-exchange
    14 主题
  15. 3-3-digestion-and-absorption
    5 主题
  16. 3-4-mass-transport-in-animals
    6 主题
  17. 3-5-the-circulatory-system-in-animals
    4 主题
  18. 3-6-mass-transport-in-plants
    6 主题
  19. 4-1-dna-genes-and-chromosomes
    10 主题
  20. 4-2-dna-and-protein-synthesis
    3 主题
  21. 4-3-genetic-diversity-mutations-and-meiosis
    7 主题
  22. 4-4-genetic-diversity-and-adaptation
    6 主题
  23. 4-5-species-and-taxonomy
    4 主题
  24. 4-6-biodiversity
    9 主题
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Exam code:7401

Exchange in larger organisms

  • Single-celled organisms have a high SA:V ratio, meaning that simple diffusion at the cell surface is sufficient to meet the needs of the cell

    • The large surface area allows for maximum diffusion of nutrients and gases

    • The small volume means the diffusion distance to all parts of the cell is short

  • As organisms increase in size, their SA:V ratio decreases

    • There is less surface area for diffusion compared to the size of the organism

    • The greater volume results in a longer diffusion distance to all parts of the organism, e.g. there may be many layers of cells

  • Large, multicellular animals and plants have evolved adaptations to facilitate the exchange of substances with the environment

    • E.g. the gas exchange system and digestive system in mammals, and the leaves of plants

Diagram of a leaf cross-section showing gas exchange. High CO2 exits; low O2 enters through stomata, with detailed cell structures marked.
Leaves have a large internal surface area, an adaptation that facilitates gas exchange by diffusion in plants

Examiner Tips and Tricks

Don’t get confused between the overall surface area of an organism and its SA:V ratio. An elephant clearly has a larger surface area than a single-celled amoeba, but its SA:V ratio will be smaller, meaning that it needs specialised exchange surfaces to facilitate exchange of gases and nutrients.

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