Section 4 - Size and Surface Area to Volume Ratio

Question 1

Why is surface area important for exchange? (3)

Answer 1

1) Cells or organisms need to exchange materials and heat with their environment.
2) More chemical reactions happen every second in organisms with a larger volume than in ones with smaller volumes.
3) Therefore more oxygen, nutrients, waste products and heat need to be exchanged across the membrane of cells of larger organisms.