Podcast
Questions and Answers
Why are larger organisms made of many cells?
Why are larger organisms made of many cells?
- Because cells range in size from one millimeter down to one micrometer
- Because there is a limit to cell size
- Because material needed by a cell must pass into and out of the cell through its surface (correct)
- Because blowing up a balloon may cause it to pop
What does the surface-area-to-volume ratio tell you?
What does the surface-area-to-volume ratio tell you?
- How much surface area a cell has compared to its volume (correct)
- How much volume a cell has compared to its surface area
- How much volume a cell has
- How much surface area a cell has
Which of the following is NOT a reason why there is a limit to cell size?
Which of the following is NOT a reason why there is a limit to cell size?
- Material needed by a cell must pass into and out of the cell through its surface
- Cells range in size from one millimeter down to one micrometer (correct)
- As a cell grows, its volume increases much faster than its surface area
- Blowing up a balloon may cause it to pop
What happens to a cell as it grows?
What happens to a cell as it grows?
What must pass into and out of a cell through its surface?
What must pass into and out of a cell through its surface?
Why are larger organisms made of many cells?
Why are larger organisms made of many cells?
What is the size range of cells?
What is the size range of cells?
What happens to a cell as it grows?
What happens to a cell as it grows?
What must pass into and out of a cell through its surface?
What must pass into and out of a cell through its surface?
What does the surface-area-to-volume ratio tell you?
What does the surface-area-to-volume ratio tell you?
Study Notes
Cell Size
- Multi-celled organisms are comprised of many cells because individual cells have limitations in how large they can grow.
Why Cells Are Limited in Size
- As a cell grows, its volume increases faster than its surface area, resulting in a lower surface-area-to-volume ratio.
- This limits the rate at which a cell can exchange materials with its surroundings.
- The cell's ability to take in nutrients and expel waste products is directly related to its surface area.
- If a cell becomes too large, its surface area becomes insufficient to support its volume.
- This restricts its ability to function properly and ultimately leads to death.
- The surface-area-to-volume ratio is a crucial factor in understanding cell size limitations.
Cell Functionality
- Cells require a constant exchange of materials, such as nutrients, oxygen, waste products, and signaling molecules, with their environment.
- This exchange happens through the cell's plasma membrane, which acts as a barrier and control point for these materials.
Cell Size
- The size of a cell is generally measured in micrometers (µm).
- The majority of cells have a size range between 1-100 µm.
- There are exceptions to this size range, but these are generally rare.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the sizes of living things, from subcellular structures to organisms, in this quiz. Challenge yourself with questions on cell sizes, proteins, bacteria, and more.
