human biology atar year 11 chapter 3 pages 33 - 34
TRANSCRIPT
Surface area to volume ratioHuman Biology ATAR Year 11
Chapter 3Pages 33 - 34
The smaller the object, the higher the surface area to volume ratio is.
Surface area to volume ratio
Surface area to volume ratio
Equal volumeEqual volume
A cell relies on diffusion and osmosis to get its nutrients and the required amount of O2
Therefore, the cell membrane has to have a large enough surface area to be able to absorb the amount that the cell needs.
If the cells were to become too large, then there would be too much of the cell and not enough of the cell membrane. Not enough nutrients and O2 could be absorbed and the cell would die.
Surface area to volume ratio
Cells have very high surface area to volume ratios.
This means they are super efficient at absorbing all of the required nutrients and O2 and at expelling all of their waste products.
Surface area to volume ratio