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!
Its too 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.
Vescicles
If a cell becomes too large, diffusion is too slow to provide the interior of the cell with proper nutrients. The DNA of the cell can not be copied fast enough, and the larger a cell is the less surface area the cell has.
phagocytosis
Cell division
A cell that is to large will either starve it self to death or eventually explode.
The outer surface
Its too large
The cell membrane folds around the molecule.
r u stupit it does not
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.
phagocytosis
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.
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.
Vacuoles.
Endocytosis.