Gas exchange systems in active multicellular organisms, such as bony fish and insects, are highly adapted to maximize the rate of diffusion. Fick's Law of Diffusion mathematically describes this relationship as follows:
Rate of diffusion∝Surface Area×Concentration DifferenceThickness of Gas Exchange Surface \text{Rate of diffusion} \propto \frac{\text{Surface Area} \times \text{Concentration Difference}}{\text{Thickness of Gas Exchange Surface}} Rate of diffusion∝Thickness of Gas Exchange SurfaceSurface Area×Concentration DifferenceDescribe how the structural features of the gills of a bony fish maximize the rate of gas exchange in accordance with Fick's Law.
Describe how the tracheal system of an insect is adapted to maximize the rate of gas diffusion.
