Final answer:
In biology, the surface area-to-volume ratio is an important concept for understanding cell size and efficiency. Larger cells have a lower surface area-to-volume ratio, which can limit their ability to function properly.
Step-by-step explanation:
In biology, the surface area-to-volume ratio is an important concept for understanding cell size and efficiency. As cells grow larger, their volume increases faster than their surface area, causing the surface area-to-volume ratio to decrease. This means that larger cells have less surface area available for nutrient exchange and waste removal per unit of volume, which can limit their ability to function properly.
For example, let's compare two cells. The first cell has a volume of 1 mm³ and a surface area of 6 mm², giving it a surface area-to-volume ratio of 6:1. The second cell has a volume of 8 mm³ and a surface area of 24 mm², resulting in a surface area-to-volume ratio of 3:1. This shows that as the volume increases, the surface area-to-volume ratio decreases.
In summary, cells with a smaller size have a higher surface area-to-volume ratio, which allows for more efficient nutrient exchange and waste removal. As cells increase in size, their surface area-to-volume ratio decreases, which can lead to the need for cell division or cell death.