1.3 Limitations to cell size

Question 1

Describe the difference between surface area and volume

Answer 1

Surface area is the total area of all the surfaces of a three-dimensional object, measured in square units.

Volume is the amount of space enclosed within the object, measured in cubic units

Question 2

Understand that cell shape also affect the SA: V ratio.

Answer 2

Smaller cell = larger SA:V ration which has a more efficient diffusion. Larger cells have a harder time doing this.

Question 3

Understand how SA: V affects the movement of substances into or out of a cell

Answer 3

A cell with higher SA:V ratio will be able to exchange substances in and out of the cell more frequently

Question 4

relationship between SA and V

Answer 4

Surface area (SA) is how much outside area an object has, while volume (V) is how much space it takes up inside. The relationship between them depends on the shape of the object.

Question 5

Link between SA: V ratio and cell size limitation

Answer 5

As cells grow larger, their volume increases faster than their surface area. This means their SA:V ratio decreases. Eventually, if a cell grows too big, its SA:V ratio becomes too low to support its needs efficiently, limiting its size and function.