Question

What is the main advantage of small cell size? a) Small cells can better take up what they need from the environment. b) Small cells are less likely to burst than large cells. c) Small cells can change shape easily. d) Small cells require less energy to divide. Which of the following clues would tell you whether a cell is prokaryotic or eukaryotic?

Answer 1

Advantage of small cell size:

- Small cells can better take up what they need from the environment.

- Small cell size results in a higher surface area-to-volume ratio.

- This allows for more efficient exchange of nutrients, gases, and other molecules with the surroundings.

- Small cells can quickly and effectively absorb necessary substances through their cell membrane.

Clues to determine if a cell is prokaryotic or eukaryotic:

- Presence of membrane-bound organelles (eukaryotic cells have them, prokaryotic cells do not).

- Complexity of DNA organization (eukaryotic cells have linear chromosomes in the nucleus, prokaryotic cells have circular DNA in the cytoplasm).

- Presence of a cell wall (prokaryotic cells have a peptidoglycan cell wall, while some eukaryotic cells may have different cell wall materials like cellulose or chitin).

- Size and structure of ribosomes (prokaryotic cells have smaller ribosomes, eukaryotic cells have larger ribosomes).