Final answer:
The surface area-to-volume ratio is a fundamental concept in cellular biology that impacts cell function, particularly in terms of efficiency in nutrient uptake and waste removal. Smaller cells have a greater surface area-to-volume ratio, which is advantageous for material exchange, whereas larger cells may struggle due to a smaller ratio, highlighting the limitations on cell size.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Cell Surface Area-to-Volume Ratio
The student's question revolves around the concept of a cell's surface area-to-volume ratio, which is a crucial aspect of cellular biology. The true statements about a cell's surface area-to-volume ratio are:
- Smaller cells will have a greater surface area to volume ratio. This is because the surface area increases as the square of the radius, whereas the volume increases as the cube of the radius.
- Larger cells will have a smaller surface area to volume ratio, which can affect the efficiency of the cell, as a larger cell may not have enough surface area to efficiently exchange materials with its environment.
- Surface area and volume are dependent on the cell size and change as the cell grows or shrinks.
- The surface area to volume ratio has a significant impact on cell function, affecting the ability of the cell to obtain nutrients and eliminate wastes.
When compared to cell A, cell B will likely have a smaller surface area-to-volume ratio assuming it is the larger cell, meaning it has a smaller surface area relative to its volume. Cell B will thus face challenges in supporting the rate of diffusion required for its increased volume, making cell efficiency more difficult to maintain as cell size increases.