Suggest how the environmental conditions have resulted in adaptations of systems using Model A rather than Model B - AQA - A-Level Biology - Question 2 - 2021 - Paper 1
Question 2
Suggest how the environmental conditions have resulted in adaptations of systems using Model A rather than Model B.
A student studied Figure 3 and concluded that th... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Suggest how the environmental conditions have resulted in adaptations of systems using Model A rather than Model B - AQA - A-Level Biology - Question 2 - 2021 - Paper 1
Step 1
Suggest how the environmental conditions have resulted in adaptations of systems using Model A rather than Model B.
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Answer
Larger organisms have a smaller surface area to volume ratio, which limits their ability to adapt to systems that require efficient gas exchange. This necessitates adaptations such as a more efficient gas exchange system in Model A.
Step 2
A student studied Figure 3 and concluded that the fish gas exchange system is more efficient than the human gas exchange system. Use Figure 3 to justify this conclusion.
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Answer
The fish gas exchange system operates in water, which has a higher density than air. This allows for a greater concentration gradient and an efficient exchange of oxygen as the water continuously flows over the gills. In contrast, the human system faces limitations due to the lower partial pressure of oxygen in the air.
Step 3
Explain how the counter-current principle allows efficient oxygen uptake in the fish exchange system.
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Answer
The counter-current principle involves blood and water flowing in opposite directions. This arrangement maintains a diffusion gradient along the length of the lamellae, allowing for maximum oxygen uptake as the oxygen concentration in water is always higher than in the blood.
Step 4
Calculate how many times the lung volume per unit of body mass of the bat is greater than that of the shrew.
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Answer
The lung volume per unit mass of the bat is calculated as follows:
For the bat:
Lung Volumebat=0.09612.48=130 cm3/kg
For the shrew:
Lung Volumeshrew=0.0240.72=30 cm3/kg
Now, to calculate how many times greater:
30130=4.33 times greater
Step 5
Give your answer to an appropriate number of significant figures.
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Answer
Thus, the lung volume per unit body mass of the bat is approximately 4.3 times greater than that of the shrew.