Ap Biology Cell Surface Area to Volume Ratio

Define Surface area

• The total area on the surface of an object
• Length X Width 
• 6 X (length X width)
• Add up the sides and divide by 4

How can surface area (SA) be increased? 

• Grow larger
• Divide into smaller pieces

The amount of space something takes up is called the.... 

• Surface area
• Perimeter 
• Volume
• Weight

What is a ratio? 

• Contrasting ideas
• Comparing Ideas

For cells to stay alive they require what type of SA:V?

• Large SA, Large V
• Small SA, Large V
• Large SA, Small V
• Small SA, Small V

High Surface area to volume ratio allows cells to do what quickly?

• Move materials around inside the cell
• Move materials in and out of the cell 
• Communicate to other cells
• Divide

This image shows how materials move into various sized cells in a given amount of time.... why does one square cell have more pink coloring than the others? 

• The surface area was too larger to get through
• The volume of the other cells was too large for the dye to get through
• There was not enough surface area for the dye to get through
• The volume was too low for the dye to stay in the square

Hint: think SA: V

• Elephant because it has more volume to heat up 
• Elephant because it has larger ears to block the sun
• Mouse because it has more surface area than volume
• mouse because it doesn't have as much heat

Microvilli are tiny projections that extend off the cell to increase the Surface Area.  What purpose might that serve? 

• Increased absorption
• Better communication among cells
• Maintain homeostasis 
• Decreased oxygen use

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS1-2

What type of relationship is seen between increased surface area (x axis) & the rate or speed at which things move in and out of the cell (y axis)?

• Constant
• Direct 
• Indirect