Biology: Surface Area to Volume Ratio in Organisms

Question 1

How is Surface Area to Volume Ratio calculated?

Answer 1

surface area/volume

Question 2

What type of organisms have a high SA:V ratio?

Answer 2

small organisms

Question 3

What type of organisms have a low SA:V Ratio?

Answer 3

large organisms

Question 4

What is meant by metabolic rate?

Answer 4

amount of energy expanded by an organism in a set period of time

Question 5

What is the general rule between mass and metabolic rate?

Answer 5

large mass, greater metabolic rate

Question 6

Why do large organisms have a high metabolic rate?

Answer 6

require higher demand of oxygen for aerobic respiration to release energy

Question 7

What does the rate of exchange substances depend on?

Answer 7

amount of surface area in contact with surroundings

Question 8

What’s the SA:V Ratio of unicellular organisms?

Answer 8

large

Question 9

What is the diffusion distance of unicellular organisms?

Answer 9

short

Question 10

What is an advantage to unicellular organisms?

Answer 10

can directly exchange materials with environment

Question 11

What is a disadvantage to unicellular organisms?

Answer 11

rapid loss of heat and water so therefore can’t survive extreme conditions

Question 12

What is the SA:V Ratio of multicellular organisms?

Answer 12

small

Question 13

What is the diffusion distance of multicellular organisms?

Answer 13

large

Question 14

What is an advantage to multicellular organisms?

Answer 14

loss of heat slow so can survive in extreme conditions

Question 15

What is a disadvantage to multicellular organisms?

Answer 15

internal mass transport systems are necessary

Question 16

In a cold environment, how do behavioural adaptations account for heat loss?

Answer 16

consumption of high energy foods to maintain temperature and hibernation

Question 17

In a cold environment, how is heat loss accounted for with physical adaptations?

Answer 17

reduced SA:V Ratio with streamlined, compact body. thick layers of fur for insulation

Question 18

In hot conditions, how do behavioural adaptations prevent overheating?

Answer 18

spending time in water. nocturnal organisms active during cooler temperatures

Question 19

In hot conditions, how do physical adaptations prevent overheating?

Answer 19

large ears to increase surface area for heat loss

Question 20

How is water loss maintained with behavioural adaptations?

Answer 20

nocturnal organisms active in cool temperature, water loss not necessary to cool organism down

Question 21

How is water loss maintained with physical adaptations?

Answer 21

kidney structure adaptations to produce less urine and compensate for water lost through evaporation