answersLogoWhite

0

All right, think about the cell as a cube.

The only way the cell can get nutrients is through its sides, right? After all, it has to absorb nutrients through the plasma membrane. So, the cell's SURFACE AREA is important in determining how quickly it can uptake nutrients. However, the ENTIRE cell needs the nutrients, so they have to be distributed over the cell's VOLUME. Therefore, the surface area to volume ratio gives an indication of how well a cell will survive.

Now, let's imagine that our cubic cell is 1 micrometer on a side. Since a cube has six sides, its total surface area is 6 times the area of one side. Area = length x width, so one side is 1 micrometer x 1 micrometer = 1 micrometer². Now multiply that by six sides and you get a total surface area of 6 micrometers².

The cell's VOLUME is its length x width x height, or 1 micrometer³. So its surface area to volume ratio is 6 micrometers²:1 micrometer³.

Now let's say the cell grows so that it is 2 micrometers on a side. Now the area of a side is 2 micrometers x 2 micrometers = 4 micrometers². Its total surface area is 24 micrometers².

However, the cell's volume is 2 micrometers x 2 micrometers x 2 micrometers = 8 micrometers³. The surface area to volume ratio is now 24 micrometers²:8 micrometers³, which reduces to 3:1. The surface area to volume ratio decreases as the cell grows.

If the cell gets too large, it won't have sufficient surface area to meets its nutritional needs. So, cells have to divide every so often to keep their overall volume small relative to the surface area.

I hope that helps!

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago

What else can I help you with?

Related Questions

What can happen if a cell were to get too large for amount of DNA it has?

Cell division


What can happen if a cell were to get too large for the amount of DNA has?

A cell that is to large will either starve it self to death or eventually explode.


What keeps cell from getting too large?

The outer surface


Why can oxygen diffuses across a cell membrane but Protein can not?

Its too large


How does cell move molecule that is too large for transport proteins?

The cell membrane folds around the molecule.


How can cells that are too large to be moved across a cell membrane be removed by the cell?

r u stupit it does not


What does cell division prevent the cell from becoming?

Cell division prevents the cell from becoming too large, which would hinder efficient nutrient exchange and waste removal within the cell. It also prevents the cell from becoming too damaged or dysfunctional, as dividing helps maintain genetic integrity by distributing accurate copies of DNA to daughter cells.


A cell will engulf a large particle of matter that would be too large to pass through the membrane?

phagocytosis


What can happen if a cell were to get too large for the amount of DNA it has?

If a cell gets too large for the amount of DNA it has, it may struggle to effectively regulate gene expression and control cell functions. This could lead to issues with protein production, cell division, and overall cellular health. Ultimately, the cell may become dysfunctional or die.


What happens to the cell membrane when a cell becomes to large?

When a cell becomes too large, the cell membrane may not be able to efficiently transport nutrients and waste materials due to its limited surface area relative to the cell volume. This can lead to difficulties in maintaining cell functions and may result in cell death.


What does a cell use to elminate a substance that is too large to leave by diffusio?

Vacuoles.


How do proteins and polysaccharides that are too large to move onto a cell through diffusion or active transport move into the cell by?

Endocytosis.