THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING A TRANSPORT SYSTEM IN SOME MULTICELLULAR

ORGANISMS

1.    The distribution of food and oxygen throughout the body of all living organisms and the removal
of waste products such as carbon dioxide is performed by a transport system.

2.    The rate of exchange of substances in an organism depends on:

(a)  The total area to volume (TSA/V) ratio

-          The larger the TSA/V ratio, the faster the diffusion of substances

(b)  The distance between the source of substances and the body cells
-          The smaller the distance between the source of substances and the body cells, the faster the
diffusion of substances

(c)  The concentration gradient between the source and the body cells
-          The higher the concentration gradient between the source and the body cells, the faster the
diffusion of substances

3.    In unicellular organisms with large TSA/V ratio, oxygen can diffuse through the cell surface and
reach the center of the cell easily. Similarly, waste products can be rapidly removed from the
cell by simple diffusion.

4.    Why the large multicellular organisms cannot depend on simple diffusion through the body
surface alone to supply the oxygen and nutrients needed by the cells?
(a)  The total area to volume (TSA/V) ratio is smaller
(b)  The cells are situated far away from the external environment

1.2  THE CIRCULATORY SYSTEM

1.    The role of the circulatory system:

(a)  to transport nutrient and oxygen to cells

(b)  to carry the waste materials away from cells
(c)  to protect the body against infection

2.    Three major components of the circulatory system:

(a)  Blood – a type of connective tissue made up of liquid plasma, suspended blood cells and
platelets

(b)  Heart – a muscular pump that circulates blood throughout the body

(c)  Blood vessels –branched vessels consisting of arteries, capillaries and veins.

1.2.1      Blood and Haemolymph

1.    Blood – is the medium of transport in humans and animals

 2.    Haemolymph is the blood-like nutritive fluid fills the entire body cavity (haemocoel) of arthropods
such as insects, and surrounds all cells

3.    The functions of blood:

(a)     transports oxygen from lungs to the cells throughout the body, and carbon dioxide from the cells
to the lungs
(b)     transports nutrients, hormone and waste products
(c)     helps to regulate the pH of body fluid, the body temperature and the water content of cells
(d)     blood clots to protect the body against excessive blood loss following in injury
(e)     protects the body against diseases

4.    The functions of haemolymph:

(a)     transports water, inorganic salts and organic compounds throughout the haemocoel
~ unlike blood, haemolymph does not transport respiratory gases.