Topic 2.2: Cell Size

How do surface area-to-volume ratios affect biological systems?

They affect the ability to obtain nutrients, eliminate waste, manage thermal energy, and exchange chemicals/energy with the environment.

Why must the surface area of the plasma membrane be large?

To adequately exchange materials with the environment.

How does cell size relate to exchange efficiency?

Smaller cells have a higher surface area-to-volume ratio and more efficient exchange than larger cells.

What happens to a cell's resource demand as it increases in volume?

The surface area-to-volume ratio decreases while the demand for internal resources increases.

How do complex cellular structures (like membrane folds) help a cell?

They increase surface area to allow for adequate material exchange.

How does organism size affect heat exchange?

Larger organisms have a lower surface area-to-volume ratio and a lower rate of heat exchange compared to smaller organisms.

What is the relationship between metabolic rate and body mass?

Generally, the smaller the organism, the higher the metabolic rate per unit body mass.