Question

imagine a model of a cell shaped like a cube.Calculate the ratio of surface area to volume for a cell model measures 3 cm on each side

Answer 1

Smaller cube (1 cm X 1 cm X 1 cm)

The surface area of one side = 1 cm X 1 cm = 1 cm2

There are 6 sides, total SA = 6 X 1 cm2 = 6 cm2

Volume = 1 cm X 1 cm X 1 cm = 1 cubic cm (1 cm3)

Surface to Volume Ratio = 6 cm2/1 cm3 = 6 cm2/cm3

Larger cube (6 cm X 6 cm X 6 cm)

The surface area of one side = 6 cm X 6 cm = 36 cm2

There are 6 sides, the total SA = 6 X 36 cm2 = 216 cm2

Volume = 6 cm X 6 cm X 6 cm = 216 cm3

Surface to Volume Ratio = 216 cm2/216 cm3 = 1 cm2/cm3