Cell Size & SA:V

Question 1

What is the benefit of having small cells?

Answer 1

Due to having a higher surface area to volume ratio, exchanging materials ( importing nutrients, oxygen and removing toxins ) with the extracellular environment is a lot more efficient and easy.

Question 2

What is the formula for volume?

Answer 2

Length x Width x Height

Question 3

what is surface area?

Answer 3

the sum of the area of all exposed sides on a 3D shape.

Question 4

What is the formula for surface area?

Answer 4

2lw x 2lh x 2hw

Question 5

Steps to calculate SA:V

Answer 5

1. Calculate SA
2. Calculate volume
3. Calculate (surface area)/(volume) to work out every unit of surface area per unit of volume/
4. convert to ratio

Question 6

Surface area for a surface with a lot of cells

Answer 6

If a surface has a lot of cells with a high SA:v therefore the rate of exchange with substances with the environment will be high.
Both substances that need to transport a lot of materials are usually small and long.
eg. The finger like bumps called villi in the small intestine which change to uncrease surface area allowing the small intestine to have a high SA:V and exchange substances very effeiciently.