Question

Eukaryotic cells contain complex organelles that carry out their chemical reactions. While prokaryotes lack many of these complex organelles, they have a variety of unique structures of their own. Most prokaryotic cells can, however, exchange nutrients with the outside environment faster than most eukaryotic cells. Why is this so?

a) Prokaryotic cells have a more efficient cytoskeleton
b) Prokaryotic cells have a larger surface area-to-volume ratio
c) Eukaryotic cells have more efficient transport proteins
d) Eukaryotic cells have a simpler cell wall structure

Answer 1

Prokaryotic cells can exchange nutrients with the environment more quickly than eukaryotic cells due to having a larger surface area-to-volume ratio, which facilitates efficient diffusion of substances across their membrane.

Step-by-step explanation:

Most prokaryotic cells can exchange nutrients with the outside environment faster than most eukaryotic cells due to their larger surface area-to-volume ratio. Prokaryotic cells are typically much smaller than eukaryotic cells, and as a result, the surface through which substances can diffuse is relatively larger compared to their volume. This means that nutrients and wastes can move into and out of the cell more efficiently. In contrast, eukaryotic cells, with their complex internal structures such as organelles, have a smaller surface area relative to their volume, which can slow down the transport of substances.

Additionally, the complex structure of eukaryotic cells, with compartmentalized functions managed by various organelles, necessitates a more intricate system of intracellular transport. For instance, eukaryotic cells utilize membrane-bound organelles for specialized functions, increasing the efficiency of certain intracellular processes, but also requiring more sophisticated mechanisms to transport substances across the cell. Prokaryotic cells, lacking these organelles, rely more on simple diffusion across their cell membrane.