Brock Biology of Microorganisms (15th Edition)
Brock Biology of Microorganisms (15th Edition)
15th Edition
ISBN: 9780134261928
Author: Michael T. Madigan, Kelly S. Bender, Daniel H. Buckley, W. Matthew Sattley, David A. Stahl
Publisher: PEARSON
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Chapter 2, Problem 1AQ
Summary Introduction

To calculate:

The surface-to-volume ratio of spherical cells of different sizes (2 µm and 15 µm) and mention the consequences of this difference in the cell function.

Concept introduction:

In the field of microbiology, the shape of a cell is termed as morphology. The size and shape of microorganisms are immediately revealed upon examination using a microscope. Archaeal and bacterial cells varies in size ranging from 0.2 µm to >700 µm in diameter. Several properties of a cell, including its evolution and growth rate are controlled by its surface area to cell volume (S/V) ratio.

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Explanation of Solution

Surface area to cell volume (S/V) ratio:

Surface area = 4πr2Volume = 43πr3Therefore, SurfaceVolume=3r

Diameter of the spherical cell = 15 µm

RadiusDiameter2= 7.5 µm

Surface area to cell volume (S/V) ratio is SurfaceVolume=37.5=0.4

Diameter of the spherical cell = 2 µm

RadiusDiameter2 = 1 µm

Surface area to cell volume (S/V) ratio is SurfaceVolume=31=3

Consequences of the differences in surface to volume ratio: The ratio of surface area to cell volume increases as the size of a cell decreases. In comparison to the cells of larger sizes, cells of smaller sizes possess increased surface area relative to the volume of the cell. Several properties of a cell, including its evolution and growth rate are controlled by its S/V ratio. Due to the presence of larger surface area, metabolic waste products and nutrients pass easily into and out of the smaller cells compared to the larger cells. The rate of exchange of wastes and nutrients facilitates the fast growth of a cell. Compared to larger cells, smaller cells with a higher S/V ratio grow faster.

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Chapter 2 Solutions

Brock Biology of Microorganisms (15th Edition)

Ch. 2.3 - Describe in a single sentence the structure of a...Ch. 2.4 - Why do bacterial cells need cell walls? Do all...Ch. 2.4 - Prob. 2MQCh. 2.4 - What do the enzyme lysozyme and the antibiotic...Ch. 2.4 - Prob. 1CRCh. 2.5 - Prob. 1MQCh. 2.5 - Prob. 2MQCh. 2.5 - Prob. 3MQCh. 2.5 - List several functions of the outer membrane in...Ch. 2.6 - Prob. 1MQCh. 2.6 - Prob. 2MQCh. 2.6 - Prob. 1CRCh. 2.7 - Prob. 1MQCh. 2.7 - Prob. 2MQCh. 2.7 - Chapter Review How can type IV pili facilitate...Ch. 2.7 - Prob. 1CRCh. 2.8 - Prob. 1MQCh. 2.8 - Chapter Review Why would it be impossible for...Ch. 2.8 - Chapter Review How are magnetosomes and the...Ch. 2.8 - Prob. 1CRCh. 2.9 - Prob. 1MQCh. 2.9 - Prob. 2MQCh. 2.9 - Prob. 1CRCh. 2.10 - Prob. 1MQCh. 2.10 - Prob. 2MQCh. 2.10 - Prob. 3MQCh. 2.10 - In a few sentences, indicate how the bacterial...Ch. 2.11 - Prob. 1MQCh. 2.11 - Prob. 2MQCh. 2.11 - Prob. 1CRCh. 2.12 - Prob. 1MQCh. 2.12 - Prob. 2MQCh. 2.12 - Contrast the mechanism for motility in...Ch. 2.13 - Prob. 1MQCh. 2.13 - Prob. 2MQCh. 2.13 - Prob. 3MQCh. 2.13 - Chapter Review How does scotophobotaxis differ...Ch. 2.13 - In a few sentences, explain how a swimming...Ch. 2.14 - Prob. 1MQCh. 2.14 - Prob. 2MQCh. 2.14 - Prob. 3MQCh. 2.14 - List at least three features of eukaryotic cells...Ch. 2.15 - Prob. 1MQCh. 2.15 - Prob. 2MQCh. 2.15 - Prob. 3MQCh. 2.15 - How are the mitochondrion and the hydrogenosome...Ch. 2.16 - Prob. 1MQCh. 2.16 - Prob. 2MQCh. 2.16 - Prob. 3MQCh. 2.16 - Describe the major functions of the endoplasmic...Ch. 2 - Prob. 1AQCh. 2 - Assume you are given two cultures, one of a...Ch. 2 - Prob. 3AQ
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