Surface Area to Volume Ratio Flashcards

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In biology, what is the surface area of a cell or organ?

It is the total area of its outside surface where substances can pass in or out.

What is the volume of a cell or organism?

It is how much space is inside it, or how much material it can hold.

What is meant by the surface area to volume ratio?

It is a way of comparing how much surface area there is for each unit of volume inside an object.

How does a high surface area to volume ratio affect the movement of substances?

A high surface area to volume ratio allows substances to move in and out faster by diffusion.

As an animal gets bigger, what usually happens to its surface area to volume ratio?

Its surface area to volume ratio gets smaller, so there is less surface area compared to its volume.

Why are cells usually very small?

Small cells have a high surface area to volume ratio, so they can take in materials and remove waste quickly.

Why can very small organisms rely on diffusion through their surface for gas exchange?

They have a very high surface area to volume ratio and only a short distance for gases to travel.

Why do large animals like humans need organs such as lungs and the small intestine?

Large animals have a low surface area to volume ratio, so they need organs with a very large surface area for fast exchange of substances.

How does a large surface area help the lungs or small intestine work well?

A large surface area gives more space for gases or digested food to move across in a short time.

How does surface area to volume ratio affect heat loss from an animal’s body?

Animals with a high surface area to volume ratio lose heat faster than animals with a low ratio.