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HOW BIG DO CELLS GET?

HOW BIG DO CELLS GET?. Cell size is limited by how easily chemicals can get across the cell membrane. Small cells have a high surface area to volume ratio . Chemicals inside the cell are always close to the cell membrane, and can leave quickly.

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HOW BIG DO CELLS GET?

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  1. HOW BIG DO CELLS GET?

  2. Cell size is limited by how easily chemicals can get across the cell membrane. Small cells have a high surface area to volume ratio. Chemicals inside the cell are always close to the cell membrane, and can leave quickly.

  3. As a cell grows larger, the surface area/volume ratio becomes smaller. It takes longer for chemicals to reach the cell membrane. This means that the interior of the cell will not get nutrients and will build up wastes. How can the cell increase its surface area without increasing its volume?

  4. Stay small (oh yeah, we already said that, didn’t we?) • Elongate: A cigar shaped organism can have the same volume as a round one. However, being long, it has more contact with the environment. • Form layers or surface extensions: Picture gills or leaf surfaces. This takes elongation one step further, by making new surfaces for the membrane to contact the environment.

  5. Punch holes in the center. This allows the middle of the organism to contact the environment. Picture a sponge. Better yet, picture your own digestive tract.

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