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Why is it important for cells to have large surface area but small volume?
Wiki User
∙ 6y ago
Cells have an area called the phospholipid bilayer. This layer has what is called a hydrogen pump. The hydrogen pump, pumps hydrogen ions into the stoma of the cell with electrons that are transported there via Electron Transport Chain. The hydrogen ions are what take up space for the cells to function properly. The space is mostly in my opinion used as storage area for electrons and hydrogen ions.
Source: http://staff.jccc.net/pdecell/cells/basiccell.html
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoKeeping a large surface area is important for exchange of materials to and from the cell.
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoTo increase the the rate of gas exchange and to make it more efficient.
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoAll chemical processes with the "outside" world occur at the surface.
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Why are groups of a small cells better than one large cell at moving material in and out?
they have a greater surface-to-volume ratio
Which has the greater surface area one large cell or 27 smaller cells?
If the smaller cells' total volume is at least that of the larger cell then the smaller cells have the greater surface area.
Cells are limited in size by their surface Ares and what else?
Cell size is limited by volume.Surface area to volume ratio (surface area / volume)Nucleo-cytoplasmic ratioFragility of cell membraneMechanical structures necessary to hold the cell together (and the contents of the cell in place)
Explain why most cells are small?
It has to do with the surface area to volume ratio. The cell interacts with its environment at the cell surface. If a cells volume is too large the surface area isn't sufficient to exchange the necessary oxygen/nutrients/wastes to maintain the functions of a cell.
Why are metabolically active cells limited to very small sizes?
They are more metabolically acitve then larger cells because they have a smaller surface area to volume ratio then the larger cells which means the enzymes and proteins can move around faster and this makes the cell metabolically active.
What is the relationship between a cells surfaces area and it's volume?
The relationship is usually expressed as a ratio: surface area divided by volume. Small cells have a large surface area to volume ratio, whilst large cells have a much smaller value. This is important because the cell absorbs the things it needs, and gets rid of what it doesn't need, through the surface. If the cell gets too large, not enough exchange can take place to keep the cell going, so there is a natural limit on the size to which a cell can grow.
What is the relationship between a cells surface area and volume?
The relationship is usually expressed as a ratio: surface area divided by volume. Small cells have a large surface area to volume ratio, whilst large cells have a much smaller value. This is important because the cell absorbs the things it needs, and gets rid of what it doesn't need, through the surface. If the cell gets too large, not enough exchange can take place to keep the cell going, so there is a natural limit on the size to which a cell can grow.
Why are groups of a small cells better than one large cell at moving material in and out?
they have a greater surface-to-volume ratio
Which has the greater surface area one large cell or 27 smaller cells?
If the smaller cells' total volume is at least that of the larger cell then the smaller cells have the greater surface area.
Why are small cells better then large cells for moving materials through membranes?
small cells have a greater surface-to-volume ratio than larger cells.
Cells are limited in size by their surface Ares and what else?
Cell size is limited by volume.Surface area to volume ratio (surface area / volume)Nucleo-cytoplasmic ratioFragility of cell membraneMechanical structures necessary to hold the cell together (and the contents of the cell in place)
Why can small cells exchange subtances more readily than large cells?
Small cells have higher surface area to volume ratio than larger cells.
Explain why most cells are small?
It has to do with the surface area to volume ratio. The cell interacts with its environment at the cell surface. If a cells volume is too large the surface area isn't sufficient to exchange the necessary oxygen/nutrients/wastes to maintain the functions of a cell.
Why are metabolically active cells limited to very small sizes?
They are more metabolically acitve then larger cells because they have a smaller surface area to volume ratio then the larger cells which means the enzymes and proteins can move around faster and this makes the cell metabolically active.
Why are most cells small?
The surface area to volume ratio of a cell is important in order to pass materials the cell needs to survive across its surface. There is therefore an optimal size for a cell where it is large enough to hold all its internal structures and yet small enough for cross membrane transport. Any bigger than this and the cell will not be able to get enough nutrients into itself to live and function properly. Thus most cells are of this size (there are specific exceptions). ======================= There is a reason why cells are so small. Cells take in food and get rid of wastes through their outer surface. They need to have a large ratio of surface area to volume. Cells also don't have enough organelles to get the food through out the whole cell. ======================= They need to have a large ratio of surface area to volume ======================= Cells are small because they take in food and remove wastes through it's membrane(skin), so if it's surface area cannot take in enough food for it's volume, the cell can starve/poisen itself, which is why cells cannot be very big. (as an object gets bigger, so does it's volume and surface area. However, volume grows much faster, and if the object gets too big, the volume will exceed the surface area) ======================== The reason why cells must be so small is because cells need enough surface area to export and import all that they need. If they were too big they would not be able to carry out all the things that they do. ======================== Cells need to be small in order to have good surface area to volume ratios. It is important that the surface area be larger than the volume so that the things that need to get in and out of the cell can do so. Otherwise the cell could be poisoned by accumulation of waste or not being able to take in what it needs.
What is the importance of large surface cells?
To occupy a large surface.
Why are groups of small cells better than one large cell material in and out?
They have a greater surface-to-volume ratio. :)
