Notes: Surface Area and Volume

 

surface area to volum ratio example

As a cell increases in size (volume), the surface area does NOT grow at the same rate

Because transport through the cell is over a longer distance, diffusion of nutrients to organelles is a greater distance.  In other words, you have very little surface area to feed a very large organism.

This is the reason why cells divide:  to maintain a 6 : 1 SA to Vol ratio.

Next:  "Membrane Structure and Function."