Podcast
Questions and Answers
Why are larger organisms made of many cells?
Why are larger organisms made of many cells?
What does the surface-area-to-volume ratio tell you?
What does the surface-area-to-volume ratio tell you?
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?
What happens to a cell as it grows?
What happens to a cell as it grows?
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What must pass into and out of a cell through its surface?
What must pass into and out of a cell through its surface?
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Why are larger organisms made of many cells?
Why are larger organisms made of many cells?
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What is the size range of cells?
What is the size range of cells?
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What happens to a cell as it grows?
What happens to a cell as it grows?
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What must pass into and out of a cell through its surface?
What must pass into and out of a cell through its surface?
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What does the surface-area-to-volume ratio tell you?
What does the surface-area-to-volume ratio tell you?
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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.
