As a cell becomes larger, its:
Correct answer: A. Volume increases faster than its surface area
- A. Volume increases faster than its surface area
- B. Surface area increases faster than its volume
- C. Volume increases, but its surface area stays the same
- D. Surface area stays the same, but its volume increases
Explanation
As a cell grows, its volume, determined by the amount of cytoplasm and organelles it contains, increases more rapidly than its surface area, determined by the cell membrane , where volume increases with the cube of the cell's size while surface area increases with the square of its size. Consequently, as the cell becomes larger, the ratio of surface area to volume decreases. This has implications for the cell's ability to efficiently exchange materials with its environment, as a smaller surface area relative to volume can lead to decreased nutrient uptake and waste removal, potentially limiting cell function and viability.
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About Cell Structure and Function
Animal, plant, prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells are compared through their membranes, cell walls, nuclei and cytoplasmic organelles. The work includes the structures and functions of mitochondria, chloroplasts, ribosomes, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus and lysosomes, as well as chromosome organization and the distinction between chromatin and chromosomes.
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