Topic 5 Cell Division: Functional Limitations to Cell Division

Question 1

1. Surface-to-volume-ratio

2. Genome-to-volume-ratio

Answer 1

Two main ratios that dictate if a cell will divide

Question 2

• As cells grow the volume grows larger than surface area
• Surface area large: exchange across cell becomes easier
• Surface area small: exchange is harder leading to cell death or division to increase SA

Answer 2

1. Surface-to-volume-ratio

Question 3

• Genome size remains constant, as cell growth leads to only an increase in volume
• Ratio small and exceed ability of its genome to produce sufficient amounts of regulation of activities
• Some large cells like paramecium and human skeletal muscle are multinucleated to deal with this

Answer 3

2. Genome-to-volume-ratio