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Although this topic examines gas exchange the exchange of heat and water have the same relationship with surface area and volume. Heat/water loss is affected by surface area : volume. In large organisms heat/water loss is less than in small organisms. This is because the organism has :
- a low surface area : volume
- longer diffusion pathways
- longer distances in general
- probably more insulation so it is harder for the heat to escape.
Conversely, in smaller organisms heat/water loss is greater than in large organisms. The organism has much shorter pathways; all its internal organs are closer to the surface and have less insulation.
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