Table 6 shows information about five different organisms - AQA - GCSE Biology - Question 6 - 2022 - Paper 1
Question 6
Table 6 shows information about five different organisms.
Table 6
| Organism | Surface area in m² | Volume in m³ | Surface area to volume ratio |
|----------|-----... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Table 6 shows information about five different organisms - AQA - GCSE Biology - Question 6 - 2022 - Paper 1
Step 1
Calculate value X in Table 6.
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Answer
To find the surface area to volume ratio (SA:V) for organism C, we use the formula:
What is the relationship between the size of an organism and its surface area to volume ratio?
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Answer
As the size of an organism increases, the surface area to volume ratio decreases. This is because the volume increases at a faster rate than surface area, leading to a lower ratio.
Step 3
Explain why organism D requires a respiratory system, but organism B does not require a respiratory system.
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Answer
Organism D has a larger surface area to volume ratio compared to organism B, which means D needs a more efficient respiratory system for gas exchange. B, with its smaller surface area to volume ratio, can exchange gases directly through its skin, which suffices for its metabolic needs.
Step 4
Explain why the metabolic rate of organism D is greater than the metabolic rate of organism E.
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Answer
Organism D has a larger surface area to volume ratio, leading to greater heat loss. To maintain its body temperature, it requires a higher metabolic rate. In contrast, organism E has a smaller surface area to volume ratio and therefore loses heat more slowly, resulting in a lower metabolic rate.
Step 5
Describe how the alveoli and the villi are adapted to increase absorption.
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Answer
Both the alveoli and villi feature a large surface area, maximizing the area available for absorption. They also possess thin walls, allowing for efficient diffusion of gases and nutrients. The alveoli facilitate gas exchange with a rich blood supply, while the villi are equipped with microvilli that further enhance absorptive capacity by increasing the surface area.
