SURFACE AREA TO VOLUME RATIO

Question 1

What is needed for mass transport in animals?

Answer 1

1. specialised exchange organs
2. efficient system

Question 2

surface area to volume ratio

Answer 2

is higher in smaller organisms and lower in larger organisms.

Question 3

factors affecting heat exchange

Answer 3

body size and shape

Question 4

body size

Answer 4

if an organism has a larger volume, eg hippo: its surface area is relatively low so less heat lost from the body.
if an organism is small, surface area is large so heat is lost more easily. smaller organisms therefore need a higher metabolic rate to generate enough heat to stay warm.

Question 5

shape

Answer 5

• animals with compact shape have smaller surface area - minimising heat loss from their surface.
• animals with a larger compact shape have alarger surface area - so more heat is lost.