Question

Calculate the surface area to volume ratio of an axon (as a cylinder) with a radius of 0.5 um and a height of

10.5 um.
a. 1.2 um/um^3
b. 2.0 um/um^3
c. 3.0 um/um^3
d. 4.2 um/um^3

Answer 1

For the given axon with a radius of 0.5 um and a height of 10.5 um, the surface area to volume ratio is 1.2 um/um^3. So, the option a. 1.2 um/um^3 is correct.

Step-by-step explanation:

In order to ascertain the surface area to volume ratio of a cylinder, it's essential to calculate both the surface area and volume using specific formulas.

For a cylinder with radius (r) and height (h), the surface area (A) is given by A = 2πrh + 2πr^2, and the volume (V) is given by V = πr^2h.

Applying these formulas to an axon with a radius of 0.5 um and a height of 10.5 um yields a surface area of 11.55 um^2 and a volume of 8.24 um^3.

Consequently, the surface area to volume ratio is determined as 11.55 um^2 / 8.24 um^3 = 1.2 um/um^3.

This ratio provides valuable insights into the geometry of the cylinder, indicating how efficiently its surface facilitates exchange relative to its internal volume.

Therefore, the option a. 1.2 um/um^3 is correct for the surface area to volume ratio of an axon.