B3.1 & B3.2 Gas Exchange and Transport

A collection of vocabulary flashcards highlighting key terms and definitions related to gas exchange and respiratory mechanisms in organisms.

Gas Exchange

A vital function that allows organisms to obtain gases necessary for cellular processes and expel waste gases.

Diffusion

The net movement of particles from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.

Surface Area-to-Volume Ratio

As organism size increases, this ratio decreases, impacting the efficiency of gas exchange.

Specialised Gas-Exchange Surfaces

Structures such as alveoli, gills, and tracheal systems that facilitate effective gas exchange.

Concentration Gradient

The difference in concentration of a substance between two areas, crucial for diffusion.

Alveoli

Microstructures in mammalian lungs that increase surface area for gas exchange.

Stomata

Small pores on the leaf surface that regulate gas exchange in plants.

Spirometry

A method of measuring lung volumes and evaluating lung function.

Foetal Haemoglobin (HbF)

A type of haemoglobin that has a higher affinity for oxygen than adult haemoglobin.

Bohr Shift

A phenomenon where an increase in carbon dioxide concentration shifts the oxygen dissociation curve to the right.

Transpiration

The process of water vapor loss from plant leaves, affecting gas exchange and temperature regulation.