Cell Size Flashcards

Why do organisms grow/get larger in most cases?

because they produce more cells

What two main reasons do cells divide rather than continuing to grow?

1. it becomes less efficient in moving nutrients and waste across the membrane

2. it places increasing demands on its own DNA

Do volume and surface area of a cell increase at the same rate when it grows? How does this affect a cell dividing instead of continuing to grow?

no; eventually the cell must divide because the rate at which nutrients and waste enter and leave the cell relies on surface area, while the rate at which these things are produced and used rely on volume

When is diffusion most efficient?

when the surface area to volume ratio is larger (surface area is larger than volume)

The ________ the cell, the more efficient and effective diffusion is.

smaller

As a cell grows, does its surface area or volume increase faster? How does this affect the cell dividing?

volume; if there is not enough cell membrane (surface area) for the rapid increase of its volume, it can cause issues and an unusual shape. so it must divide eventually