As a cell grows larger, its surface area to volume ratio
Correct answer: C. decreases
- A. increases steadily
- B. remains constant
- C. decreases
- D. first falls and then rises again
Explanation
Volume grows with the cube of the radius while surface area grows only with the square, so a larger cell has proportionally less membrane through which to feed its cytoplasm. This falling ratio is one of the main reasons cells divide instead of growing indefinitely.
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About Animal and Plant Cell
Animal and plant cells share a plasma membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus, ribosomes, mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum, but plant cells also have a cellulose cell wall, chloroplasts and a large permanent vacuole. Questions cover organelle structure and function, differences between the two cell types, and how membranes control movement of substances.
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