"The surface area to volume ratio is crucial for efficient cellular transport."
Evaluate the above statement, providing an example of how cells adapt their shape to maintain an effective ratio. (3 marks)
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"The surface area to volume ratio is crucial for efficient cellular transport."
Evaluate the above statement, providing an example of how cells adapt their shape to maintain an effective ratio. (3 marks)
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→ The surface area to volume ratio is vital for efficient cellular transport because a higher ratio allows for quicker exchange of materials, such as nutrients and waste, across the cell membrane.
→ As cells grow larger, their volume increases faster than their surface area, reducing efficiency.
→ To compensate, some cells increase surface area without significantly adding volume.
→ An example is red blood cells that have adapted to be biconcave in shape. This maximises surface area relative to volume to enhance oxygen exchange.
→ The surface area to volume ratio is vital for efficient cellular transport because a higher ratio allows for quicker exchange of materials, such as nutrients and waste, across the cell membrane.
→ As cells grow larger, their volume increases faster than their surface area, reducing efficiency.
→ To compensate, some cells increase surface area without significantly adding volume.
→ An example is red blood cells that have adapted to be biconcave in shape. This maximises surface area relative to volume to enhance oxygen exchange.