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A large surface area is required for some organelles to absorb proper nutrition and then move to another area to digest and then expel waste. The large surface area would not be visible on most microscopes.

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12y ago
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5mo ago

Cells have a small surface area to volume ratio to efficiently exchange nutrients and wastes. A smaller surface area allows for substances to enter and leave the cell more quickly through the cell membrane. This ratio is crucial for maintaining cellular processes and functions.

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12y ago

Cells need a small surface area inorder to exchange materials in and out through their membrane. If their SA is too big then they are unable to distribute it quick enough through the cell; however, if it is small enough then it will go through in a breeze. This can be demonstrated by taking a potato and cutting it into a length, width, and height of the following measurements: .5 cm, 1 cm, 1.5 cm, 2 cm, and 2.5 cm. After doing so place them in separate beakers and put enough iodine in to cover them. By 40 min's you can take them out and cut each of them in half. You will notice that the smallest one will be completely (or almost) soaked through with the iodine while the larger ones will only have 1 or 2 millimeters absorbed into their surface. This basically shows us that the smaller the cell the quicker it is to absorb, but when it is bigger it absorbs so slowly that the cell would die before nutrients could be completely distributed.

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Q: Why do cells have a small surface area?
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Which 2 things must be compared to explain why almost all cells are small?

The surface area to volume ratio of cells must be compared to explain why almost all cells are small. As cells grow larger, their volume increases faster than their surface area, leading to inefficiencies in nutrient and waste exchange. Smaller cells have a higher surface area to volume ratio, allowing for more efficient cellular processes.


Why are groups of a small cells better than one large cell at moving material in and out?

they have a greater surface-to-volume ratio


What is an advantage of cells staying relatively smalll?

Cells that are small have a higher surface area-to-volume ratio, allowing for more efficient exchange of nutrients and waste products. Small cells also have a shorter distance for molecules to travel within the cell, leading to faster metabolism and overall cell function.


What kind of a cell lines the small intestine and assembles fat?

The small intestine is lined with epithelial cells. These specialized cells have microvilli on their surface, which increase their surface area for absorption. These cells play a key role in the absorption of nutrients and fats from the digestive tract into the bloodstream.


Explain why most cells are small?

Most cells are small because a larger surface area-to-volume ratio allows for more efficient nutrient exchange and waste removal. This helps the cell maintain homeostasis by ensuring its internal environment remains stable. Additionally, smaller cells can divide and replicate more easily than larger cells.

Related questions

Why can small cells exchange substances more readily than large cells?

Small cells have a higher surface area to volume ratio, which allows for a more efficient exchange of substances with their environment. This is because the surface area of a cell determines the rate at which substances can be exchanged, and smaller cells have a greater surface area relative to their volume compared to larger cells.


what is the advantage of having many small cells instead of one large cell?

With smaller cells, there is a greater surface area.


What is advantage of having many small cells instead of one small cell?

With smaller cells, there is a greater surface area.


Where cell has the largest surface area?

Cells with the largest surface area are typically found in specialized structures like the small intestine. The cells lining the small intestine have microvilli, which greatly increase the surface area for absorption of nutrients. These cells are specifically adapted to maximize their contact with nutrients in the digestive system.


Why can small cells exchange subtances more readily than large cells?

Small cells have higher surface area to volume ratio than larger cells.


Is true that small cells have larger surface area to volume rations than do larger cells?

Cell have a greater surface area to volume rations than a larger cell.


Which 2 things must be compared to explain why almost all cells are small?

The surface area to volume ratio of cells must be compared to explain why almost all cells are small. As cells grow larger, their volume increases faster than their surface area, leading to inefficiencies in nutrient and waste exchange. Smaller cells have a higher surface area to volume ratio, allowing for more efficient cellular processes.


What are the folds of the plasma membrane that increase the cells surface area?

The folds of the plasma membrane that increase the cell's surface area are called microvilli. They are small, finger-like projections found on the surface of certain types of cells, particularly in cells involved in absorption, to increase the surface area for better nutrient absorption.


What limits most cells to a small size?

The surface area-to-volume ratio of the cell.


What Limits Most Cells to a Very Small Cell?

The surface area-to-volume ratio of the cell.


A high density of microvilli is to be expected especially on the surface of epithelial cells located in the?

Small intestine, where microvilli increase the surface area for absorption of nutrients.


Is several small cells that have more surface area than a large cell true or false?

True. Several small cells have greater surface area compared to a single large cell, which allows for more efficient exchange of nutrients and waste products with the environment. This increased surface area facilitates quicker uptake of essential materials and removal of waste, which is essential for the cell's survival and function.