wayground logo

Free Printable Worksheets

Font size

S
M
L
XL
Worksheets

A-Level Exchange surfaces

Total questions: 62

Worksheet time: 37mins

Name
Class
Date
1.
High Surface area to volume ratio allows cells to do what quickly?
a)
Move materials around inside the cell
b)
Move materials in and out of the cell 
c)
Communicate to other cells
d)
Divide
2.

Which block has the smallest surface area to volume ratio?

a)

Green

b)

Pink

c)

Yellow

3.

Exchanges between oganisms and their environment can take place by

a)

Diffusion

b)

Active Transport

c)

Osmosis

d)

All of the above

4.

Find out the surface area to volume ratio for a cube with sides 2cm

a)

1:3

b)

3:1

c)

0.33

d)

2:1

5.
lower S:A ratio...
a)
decreases the rate of gas exchange
b)
increases the rate of gas exchange
c)
none of the above
6.

Which of these is NOT a feature of specialised exchange surfaces?

a)

large surface area relative to the volume of the organism

b)

very thin so that diffusion distance is short

c)

fully permeable to allow all materials to cross

d)

movement of the environmental medium (e.g. air) to maintain a diffusion gradient

e)

A transport system to ensure the movement of the internal medium, for example blood, in order to maintain a diffusion gradient

7.

The flow of oxygen (in order) into the cells of an insect is

a)

spiracles - trachea - tracheole fluid - cells - tracheole

b)

spiracles - cells - trachea - tracheole - tracheole fluid

c)

cells - tracheole fluid - tracheole - trachea - spiracles

d)

spiracles - trachea - tracheole - tracheole fluid - cells

8.

To prevent moisture loss Insects have a?

a)

permeable exoskeleton

b)

impermeable exoskeleton

9.

Name the structure through which gases enter and leave the body of an insect.

a)

tracheoles

b)

alveoli

c)

spiracle

d)

lungs

10.

Tubifex worms are small, thin animals that live in water. They have no specialised gas exchange or circulatory system. Name the process by which oxygen reaches the cells inside the body of a tubifex worm.

a)

active transport

b)

respiration

c)

diffusion

d)

facilitated diffusion

11.

Which adaptations help reduce water loss in insects? (tick all that apply)

a)

guard cells that open and close the spiracles

b)

valves that open and close the spiracles

c)

hairs around the spiracles

12.
Tiny holes in the side of an insect (oxygen in, carbon dioxide out)
a)
gills
b)
spiracles
c)
crop
d)
nerve net 
13.

True or false:

Tracheoles have rings of chitin

a)

true

b)

false

14.

To prevent moisture loss Insects have a?

a)

permeable exoskeleton

b)

impermeable exoskeleton

15.

Respiratory gases move in and out of the tracheal system in insects in which THREE ways?

a)

Mass transport-Contraction of muscles in insects can squeeze the trachea enabling movement of air in and out

b)

Along a diffusion gradient

c)

Countercurrent flow

d)

The ends of the tracheoles are filled with water

16.

Why is there a conflict in terrestrial insects between gas exchange and conserving water?

a)

Gas exchange requires a thick permeable surface with a small area. Conserving water requires a thick, waterproof surface with a small area.

b)

Gas exchange requires a thin permeable surface with a large area. Conserving water requires a thick, waterproof surface with a small area.

c)

Gas exchange requires a thin impermeable surface with a large area. Conserving water requires a thick, waterproof surface with a small area.

17.

How does the tracheal system limit the size of insects?

a)

It relies on diffusion to bring oxygen to the respiring tissues. If insects were large, it would take too long for oxygen to reach the tissues rapidly enough to supply their needs

b)

The extra chitin would make insects inflexible

c)

It relies on active transport to bring oxygen to the respiring tissues. If insects were large, it would take too long for oxygen to reach the tissues rapidly enough to supply their needs

18.

Name the three parts of a gill.

a)

filament, lamellae, gill arch

b)

filament, lamellae, operculum

c)

surface area, filaments, gill

19.
True of False?
The gill cover is called the Operculum.
a)
True
b)
False
20.

What is the percentage dissolved oxygen in water?

a)

1%

b)

5%

c)

10%

d)

20%

21.

To overcome the low percentage of dissolved oxygen in water, bony fish have two major adaptations. These include?

a)

Ventilation of the gills and unidirectional supply of water

b)

Unidirectional supply of water and counter-current exchange of gases

c)

Ventilation of the gills and counter-current exchange of gases.

22.

Which gas exchange method is most efficient?

a)

Parallel flow

b)

Counter-current flow

23.

How and why do most sharks constantly swim?

a)

Mouth open, to drink water.

b)

Mouth closed, to swim faster.

c)

Mouth closed, to force water across their gills.

d)

Mouth open, to force water across their gills.

24.

Which structures increase the surface areas of the gills in fish? (select two)

a)

Gill filaments

b)

Lamellae

c)

Gill arch

d)

Operculum

25.

How can some fish maintain a steep diffusion gradient across the entire gill lamellae?

a)

Counter-current flow

b)

Concurrent flow

c)

Parallel flow

d)

Unidirectional flow

26.

What percentage of oxygen can bony fish absorb from the water?

a)

50%

b)

60%

c)

70%

d)

80%

27.

Name the structure that protects fish gills from damage.

a)

filaments

b)

lamellae

c)

operculum

d)

gill arch

28.

What is meant by a counter-current system?

a)

A short distance for gases to diffuse

b)

When water flows in an opposite direction to blood flow

c)

having a higher concentration inside the lungs than outside

29.
What does this graph show?
a)
Parallel flow in cartilaginous fish
b)
Counter current flow in bony fish
30.
Blood flowing next to water in the opposite direction means the water?
a)
Has given up less of its oxygen and the blood is able to absorb more oxygen.
b)
Has given up most of its oxygen and the blood is able to absorb less oxygen.
31.
Blood flow at the very end of the lamellae is reaching water flow at the beginning of the lamellae that is?
a)
High in dissolved oxygen
b)
Low in dissolved oxygen
c)
In an equilibrium of dissolved oxygen
32.
The counter-current flow of water and blood ensures that?
a)
There is an equilibrium of oxygen between the blood and the water.
b)
There is a weak concentration gradient between the blood and the oxygen in the water.
c)
There is a strong concentration gradient between the blood and the oxygen in the water.
33.
A parallel current flow would not achieve the same oxygen extraction rates because?
a)
The concentrations across the gill would increase.
b)
The concentrations across the gill would decrease.
c)
The concentrations across the gill would equalise quickly.
34.
The blood flow in the capillaries of the gills encounters water that is?
a)
Low in dissolved oxygen
b)
High in dissolved oxygen
c)
An equilibrium of dissolved oxygen
d)
Lacking in dissolved oxygen
35.
Fish are able to facilitate gas exchange by ventilating their gill surface. This includes?
a)
Using the gill cover (operculum) as a pump 
b)
Drawing the water past the gill filaments
c)
Swimming continuously with their mouth open
d)
All the above
36.

The counter-current flow of water and blood ensures that?

a)

There is an equilibrium of oxygen between the blood and the water.

b)

There is a weak concentration gradient between the blood and the oxygen in the water.

c)

There is a continuous diffusion gradient of oxygen along the entire length of the gill filament

37.

A parallel current flow would not achieve the same oxygen extraction rates because?

a)

The concentrations across the gill would increase.

b)

The concentrations across the gill would decrease.

c)

The concentrations across the gill would quickly reach equilibrium

38.
What is the exchange surface in leaves?
a)
Spongy mesophyll
b)
Palisade mesophyll
c)
Lower epidermis
d)
Upper epidermis
39.
What is the main photosynthetic layer in leaves?
a)
Spongy mesophyll
b)
Palisade mesophyll
c)
Lower epidermis
d)
Upper epidermis
40.
What layer contains the most stomata?
a)
Spongy mesophyll
b)
Palisade mesophyll
c)
Lower epidermis
d)
Upper epidermis
41.
What is the correct description of the cause of stomatal opening?
a)
K+ ions actively pumped into guard cells, water potential drops.
b)
K+ ions diffuse out of guard cells, water potential rises.
42.

This type of gas exchange system is found in land animals.

a)

Cutaneous respiration

b)

Gills

c)

Tracheal systems

d)

Lungs

43.

This type of gas exchange systems is exhibited by underwater organisms.

a)

Cutaneous respiration

b)

Gills

c)

Tracheal systems

d)

Lungs

44.

This type of gas exchange system occurs through the skin of the organism.

a)

Cutaneous respiration

b)

Gills

c)

Tracheal systems

d)

Lungs

45.

This type of gas exchange system is exhibited by earthworms.

a)

Cutaneous respiration

b)

Gills

c)

Tracheal systems

d)

Lungs

46.

Which part of the human brain is considered the breathing center?

a)

Cerebrum

b)

Medulla oblongata

c)

Cerebellum

d)

Hypothalamus

47.

These are the sites of gaseous exchange in the leaves and stems of young plants

a)

Lenticels

b)

Stomata

c)

Alveoli

d)

Capillaries

48.

Which of these are leaf adaptations for rapid diffusion?

a)

Large surface area of mesophyll cells

b)

Many inter-connecting air spaces throughout mesophyll

c)

Long diffusion pathway

d)

Many small pores called stomata

49.
The air sacs that are covered with capillaries where gas exchange takes place
a)
bronchi
b)
lungs
c)
oxygen
d)
alveoli
50.
Which of the following are features of the alveoli that adapt them to gas exchange?

I. High surface area
II. Thin walls
III. Dry surfaces
a)
I and II only
b)
I only
c)
II and III
d)
I, II, and III
51.

What happens when you breathe in? (tick all that apply)

a)

diaphragm relaxes and moves up

b)

diaphragm contracts and flattens

c)

increases volume in thorax

d)

reduces volume in thorax

e)

pressure in thorax lower than outside

52.

The diagram shows the structure of the human gas exchange system. Name organ P.

a)

alveolus

b)

trachea

c)

bronchus

d)

diaphragm

53.

The diagram shows the structure of the human gas exchange system. Name organ Q.

a)

alveolus

b)

trachea

c)

bronchus

d)

diaphragm

54.

Just before a person starts to exhale, the composition of the air in an alveolus differs from the composition of the air in the trachea. How would the composition differ? (tick all that apply)

a)

less oxygen

b)

more oxygen

c)

more carbon dioxide

d)

more water vapour

e)

less water vapour

55.

How does an increase in lung volume lead to air entering the lungs?

a)

Produces higher pressure

b)

Produces lower pressure

56.

Which term describes the physical movements in the thorax which bring fresh air to the alveoli and remove stale air?

a)

gas exchange

b)

respiration

c)

ventilation

d)

circulation

57.

Which of the following is/are true for inhalation?

a)

internal intercostal muscles contract

b)

ribcage moves up and out

c)

volume in the thorax decreases

d)

air enters when pressure in the thorax is below atmospheric pressure

58.

Which of the following is/are true for exhalation?

a)

internal intercostal muscles contract

b)

abdominal muscles relax

c)

diaphragm muscle relaxes and is dome-shaped

d)

the pressure in the thorax increases above atmospheric pressure

59.

Which of the following is/are correct adaptations of alveoli for fast gas exchange?

a)

thin cell wall gives a short diffusion distance

b)

moist inner surface to dissolve O2 and CO2

c)

gas exchange maintains concentration gradients between alveoli and blood

d)

close to blood capillaries gives a short diffusion distance

60.

Ventilation maintains a high concentration of oxygen in the alveoli.


Which one of the following maintains a low concentration of oxygen in blood capillaries that are close by?

a)

respiration

b)

perspiration

c)

circulation

d)

evaporation

61.

Which of the following muscles relax during inhaling?

a)

A only

b)

B only

c)

A and C

d)

B and C|

62.

Which of the following muscles relax during exhaling?

a)

A only

b)

B only

c)

A and C

d)

B and C