Examples of Exchange Surfaces
Biology: AQA GCSE Higher, topic 1.3.6
Examples of Exchange Surfaces
Some examples of specialised exchange surfaces are:
Small intestine
- The small intestine is adapted for exchanging nutrients between digested food in the small intestine and the blood.
Lungs
- The lungs are adapted for exchanging carbon dioxide and oxygen between the blood and air.
Gills
- The gills are adapted for exchanging oxygen that is dissolved in water, with the carbon dioxide in a fish's bloodstream.
Roots
- Roots are adapted for taking up both water and minerals from the soil around them.
Leaves
- Leaves are adapted for exchanging carbon dioxide and oxygen between the leaves and the surrounding air.
Test yourself on Examples of Exchange Surfaces
What two gases do fish gills exchange between the water and the blood?
What do the lungs exchange between the blood and the air?
Which other exchange surface, like the leaves, exchanges gases with the surrounding air?
Which exchange surface takes up substances from the soil, rather than air or water?
Which exchange surface exchanges substances with the blood, rather than with the air, water or soil around an organism?