Question

Walking around David Suzuki Secondary school you notice a blob-like mass, the size of a small car, creeping down the hallway. Mr Kamel remarks that is the largest single cell that he has ever seen. Assess his statement and give an explanation to justify your response. Be sure to use the words, surface area and volume in your answer.

Answer 1

Mr. Kamel's statement is incorrect. As the size of a cell increases, its surface area-to-volume ratio decreases, limiting its efficiency in exchanging nutrients and wastes. This is due to the fact that the volume of a cell increases more rapidly than its surface area.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement made by Mr. Kamel is incorrect. As the size of a cell increases, its surface area-to-volume ratio decreases. The surface area of a cell is calculated using the formula 4πr², while the volume is calculated using the formula 4πr³/3. The ratio of surface area to volume is important because it determines the efficiency of a cell in exchanging nutrients and wastes with its environment.

For example, let's compare a spherical cell with a diameter of 5 µm and a cubed-shaped cell with a side length of 7 µm. The surface area-to-volume ratio of the spherical cell is 25.12 µm²/µm³, while the ratio of the cubed-shaped cell is 1.42 µm²/µm³. Since the surface area-to-volume ratio of the spherical cell is greater, it would exchange nutrients and wastes more efficiently with its environment.

Based on this information, we can conclude that as a cell increases in size, its surface area-to-volume ratio decreases, limiting the cell's ability to exchange nutrients and wastes efficiently.

Answer 2

Mr. Kamel's statement is not accurate. The size of a cell is limited by its surface area-to-volume ratio. Large cells are less efficient and tend to divide or die.

Step-by-step explanation:

Mr Kamel's statement that the blob-like mass is the largest single cell he has ever seen is not accurate. The size of a cell is limited by its surface area-to-volume ratio. As a cell increases in size, its volume increases more rapidly than its surface area, causing the surface area-to-volume ratio to decrease. If a cell becomes too large, its plasma membrane will not have sufficient surface area to support the rate of diffusion needed for the increased volume. Therefore, large cells are less efficient and tend to divide or die. In this case, the blob-like mass is a cluster of cells or a multicellular organism, not a single cell.