Concept explainers
To infer:
How the ratio of surface area to volume changes as a cell grows larger
Introduction:
A cell grows until it reaches its size limit, then it either stops growing or divides. Most cells undergo division. Cell division helps a cell to reproduce and makes the organism grow and heal certain injuries. Most cells are less than 100μm in diameter. The ratio of surface area to volume is the key factor that limits the size of a cell. By remaining small cells have a higher ratio of surface area to volume and they can sustain themselves more easily.
Answer to Problem 17STP
Asthe cell grows larger the ratio of surface area to volume decreases. This will continue to decrease if the cell grows in size. The volume increases more rapidly than the surface area and so the cell has difficulty in transporting nutrients and waste products.
Explanation of Solution
Surface area of a cell refers to the area covered by the plasma membrane through which the nutrients and wastes must pass through. Volume refers to the space taken up by the contents of the cell. To calculate the surface area of the cube, we have to multiply length times width times the number of sides. To calculate the volume, we have to multiply length times width times height.
Suppose the length of a cell is 1cm.
Now if the cell grows larger to 2cm per side,
The new ratio of 3:1 is less than 6:1. Therefore we can say that as the cell grows larger the ratio of surface area to volume decreases.
Chapter 9 Solutions
Biology Illinois Edition (Glencoe Science)
Additional Science Textbook Solutions
Anatomy & Physiology (6th Edition)
Human Physiology: An Integrated Approach (7th Edition)
Campbell Essential Biology (6th Edition) - standalone book
Microbiology with Diseases by Body System (4th Edition)
Genetic Analysis: An Integrated Approach (2nd Edition)
Human Physiology: An Integrated Approach (8th Edition)
- Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)BiologyISBN:9780134580999Author:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. HoehnPublisher:PEARSONBiology 2eBiologyISBN:9781947172517Author:Matthew Douglas, Jung Choi, Mary Ann ClarkPublisher:OpenStaxAnatomy & PhysiologyBiologyISBN:9781259398629Author:McKinley, Michael P., O'loughlin, Valerie Dean, Bidle, Theresa StouterPublisher:Mcgraw Hill Education,
- Molecular Biology of the Cell (Sixth Edition)BiologyISBN:9780815344322Author:Bruce Alberts, Alexander D. Johnson, Julian Lewis, David Morgan, Martin Raff, Keith Roberts, Peter WalterPublisher:W. W. Norton & CompanyLaboratory Manual For Human Anatomy & PhysiologyBiologyISBN:9781260159363Author:Martin, Terry R., Prentice-craver, CynthiaPublisher:McGraw-Hill Publishing Co.Inquiry Into Life (16th Edition)BiologyISBN:9781260231700Author:Sylvia S. Mader, Michael WindelspechtPublisher:McGraw Hill Education