Study Guide: Transport in Animals and Diseases and Immunity
1. Transport in Animals - Part 1
A. Overview of the Circulatory System
Function: The circulatory system transports nutrients, gases, hormones, and waste products throughout the body.
B. Components of the Circulatory System
Heart: A muscular organ that pumps blood. It consists of four chambers:
Right Atrium: Receives deoxygenated blood from the body.
Right Ventricle: Pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs for oxygenation.
Left Atrium: Receives oxygenated blood from the lungs.
Left Ventricle: Pumps oxygenated blood to the rest of the body; has the thickest walls to generate high pressure.
Blood Vessels:
Arteries: Carry oxygenated blood away from the heart (except pulmonary arteries).
Veins: Carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart (except pulmonary veins).
Capillaries: Microscopic vessels where gas and nutrient exchange occur between blood and tissues.
Blood: Composed of:
Red Blood Cells (RBCs): Transport oxygen using hemoglobin.
White Blood Cells (WBCs): Part of the immune system.
Platelets: Assist in blood clotting.
Plasma: Liquid component that carries cells, nutrients, hormones, and waste.
C. Circulation Types
Systemic Circulation: Blood flows from the heart to the body and back.
Pulmonary Circulation: Blood flows from the heart to the lungs and back.
2. Transport in Animals - Part 2
A. Adaptations in Different Animal Groups
Mammals: Have a double circulatory system for efficient oxygen delivery.
Fish: Use gills to extract oxygen from water; single circulation system.
Insects: Utilize a tracheal system for direct gas exchange; no blood vessels for oxygen transport.
B. Evolution of Transport Mechanisms
Discuss how different environments and lifestyles (aquatic vs. terrestrial) influence the evolution of transport systems.
Example: Fish have developed gills to utilize oxygen from water effectively.
C. Comparison of Transport Systems
Open vs. Closed Circulatory Systems:
Open: Blood is not always contained within vessels (e.g., arthropods).
Closed: Blood is contained in vessels, providing more controlled transport (e.g., mammals).
3. Diseases and Immunity
A. Overview of the Immune System
Function: Protects the body against pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi).
Components:
White Blood Cells (WBCs): Different types (neutrophils, lymphocytes) respond to infections.
Antibodies: Proteins produced by B-cells that identify and neutralize pathogens.
B. Types of Immunity
Active Immunity
Definition: Active immunity occurs when the body's immune system produces its own antibodies in response to a pathogen or vaccine.
Duration: Generally long-lasting, often years or even a lifetime, due to the formation of memory cells.
Examples:
Natural: After recovering from an infection.
Artificial: Through vaccination (e.g., measles vaccine).
Passive Immunity
Definition: Passive immunity involves the transfer of antibodies from another source rather than the individual's immune system producing them.
Duration: Typically short-lived, lasting a few weeks to months because the body does not create memory cells to retain this immunity.
Examples:
Natural: Antibodies transferred from mother to infant through breast milk or the placenta.
Artificial: Administration of antibodies (e.g., immunoglobulin therapy).
C. Vaccination
Purpose: Vaccines introduce a harmless form of a pathogen to stimulate an immune response without causing disease.
Mechanism: Trains the immune system to recognize and fight the pathogen in the future.
D. Pathogens and Disease Mechanisms
Bacteria: Often cause infections through toxins or by damaging tissues.
Viruses: Invade host cells, hijacking their machinery to replicate.
E. Response to Disease
The immune system recognizes pathogens and mobilizes WBCs, antibodies, and other mechanisms to eliminate them.
Summary
In essence, transport in animals is vital for maintaining homeostasis and supporting metabolic processes, while the immune system plays a crucial role in defending against diseases. Understanding these systems' structure, function, and interactions is key to grasping animal biology.