The large number of alveoli in mammalian lungs, the numerous lamellae in fish gills, the papulae of echinoderms, and the extensive tracheal system of insects are all adaptations that optimize what factor in the formula for Fick’s Law of Diffusion?

Question

A.  D
B.  A
C.  d
D.  Dp

Clarify Question
What is the key concept addressed by the question?
What type of thinking is required?
 
Gather Content
What do you already know about gas exchange? What other information is related to the question?

Choose Answer
Given what you now know, what information is most likely to produce the correct answer?
 
Reflect on Process
Did your problem-solving process lead you to the correct answer? If not, where did the process break down or lead you astray? How can you revise your approach to produce a more desirable result?

Answer 1

B.  A

Clarify Question
What is the key concept addressed by the question?
        · This question is asking you to identify the components of Fick’s Law of Diffusion.
What type of thinking is required?
        · Apply level:
            o You are being asked to take what you already know and use, or apply, it to the understanding of how vertebrate structures factor into Fick’s Law of Diffusion.
 
Gather Content
What do you already know about gas exchange? What other information is related to the question?
        · Alveoli, the sites of gas exchange in mammalian lungs, are sacs that are surrounded by capillaries.
        · Lamellae are extensions in fish gills where gas exchange occurs.
        · Papulae, or skin gills, in echinoderms are extensions of the body that allow gas exchange to occur.
        · The tracheal system of insects is a series of tubes that facilitate gas exchange.
 
Choose Answer
Given what you now know, what information is most likely to produce the correct answer?
        · Alveoli, lamellae, paulae, and tracheal systems all provide extra surface area over which gas exchange can occur.
        · The area over which gas exchange occurs is represented by “A” in the formula for Fick’s Law of Diffusion.
 
Reflect on Process
Did your problem-solving process lead you to the correct answer? If not, where did the process break down or lead you astray? How can you revise your approach to produce a more desirable result?
        · Apply level:
            o Answering this question correctly depended on your ability to use vertebrate structures in a new situation. If you got an incorrect answer, did you remember that each of the mentioned structures increases surface area, or that surface area is a component of Fick’s Law of Diffusion? Did you have trouble extending the nature of the vertebrate structures to determine the correct answer?