Concept explainers
Introduction:
A cell requires a large surface area to allow the movement of nutrients within the cell and the waste outside the cell. Small cells have an adequate amount of surface area to facilitate the exchange of nutrients and waste. With an increase in the size of the cell, the surface area becomes inadequate for the exchange of nutrients and wastes that the cell volume requires.
Explanation of Solution
Correct answer:
The surface-area-to-volume ratio defines the size of a cell. Therefore, option (c) is correct.
Explanation for the correct answer:
The sizes of the cells vary in terms of their range. Some of them are very small and some of them are large. In a cell, where the ratio of the surface area to volume is more, the size of the cell would be small and where the surface area to volume ratio is less, the size of the cell would be large.
Option (c) is given as “its size”. As, “the surface-area-to-volume ratio defines the aspect of size of cell”, it is the right answer. Hence, option (c) is correct.
Explanations for incorrect answers:
Option (a) is given as “whether it is eukaryotic or prokaryotic”. The eukaryotic or prokaryotic cells are defined on the basis of the presence or absence of the membrane bound nucleus. So, it is a wrong answer.
Option (b) is given as “whether it is plant or animal”. The animal cell and plant cell are defined on the basis of the presence or absence of the cell wall. So, it is a wrong answer.
Option (d) is given as “its ability to move”. The ability to move is defined by the presence of cytoskeleton (cilia or flagella) in a cell. So, it is a wrong answer.
Hence, options (a), (b) and (d) are incorrect.
The size of the cell is defined by surface-area-to-volume ratio.
Want to see more full solutions like this?
Chapter 4 Solutions
Biology
- Find out about the organisations and the movements aimed at the conservation of our natural resources. Eg Chipko movement and Greenpeace. Make a project report on such an organisation.arrow_forwardWhat are biofertilizers and mention the significancearrow_forwardPCBs and River Otters: Otters in Washington State’s Green-Duwamish River have high levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in their livers. PCBs can bind to the estrogen receptors in animals and disrupt the endocrine system of these otters. The PCBs seem to increase the estrogen to androgen ratio, skewing the ratio toward too much estrogen. How would increased estrogen affect the river otter population? Based on your reading of the materials in this unit, what factors can affect fertility in humans? Explain how each of the factors affecting human fertility that you described can disrupt the human endocrine system to affect reproduction.arrow_forward
- Other than oil and alcohol, are there other liquids you could compare to water (that are liquid at room temperature)? How is water unique compared to these other liquids? What follow-up experiment would you like to do, and how would you relate it to your life?arrow_forwardSelection of Traits What adaptations do scavengers have for locating and feeding on prey? What adaptations do predators have for capturing and consuming prey?arrow_forwardCompetition Between Species What natural processes limit populations from growing too large? What are some resources organisms can compete over in their natural habitat?arrow_forward
- Species Interactions Explain how predators, prey and scavengers interact. Explain whether predators and scavengers are necessary or beneficial for an ecosystem.arrow_forwardmagine that you are conducting research on fruit type and seed dispersal. You submitted a paper to a peer-reviewed journal that addresses the factors that impact fruit type and seed dispersal mechanisms in plants of Central America. The editor of the journal communicates that your paper may be published if you make ‘minor revisions’ to the document. Describe two characteristics that you would expect in seeds that are dispersed by the wind. Contrast this with what you would expect for seeds that are gathered, buried or eaten by animals, and explain why they are different. (Editor’s note: Providing this information in your discussion will help readers to consider the significance of the research).arrow_forwardWhat is the difference between Uniporters, Symporters and Antiporters? Which of these are examples of active transport?arrow_forward
- Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)BiologyISBN:9780134580999Author:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. HoehnPublisher:PEARSONBiology 2eBiologyISBN:9781947172517Author:Matthew Douglas, Jung Choi, Mary Ann ClarkPublisher:OpenStaxAnatomy & PhysiologyBiologyISBN:9781259398629Author:McKinley, Michael P., O'loughlin, Valerie Dean, Bidle, Theresa StouterPublisher:Mcgraw Hill Education,
- Molecular Biology of the Cell (Sixth Edition)BiologyISBN:9780815344322Author:Bruce Alberts, Alexander D. Johnson, Julian Lewis, David Morgan, Martin Raff, Keith Roberts, Peter WalterPublisher:W. W. Norton & CompanyLaboratory Manual For Human Anatomy & PhysiologyBiologyISBN:9781260159363Author:Martin, Terry R., Prentice-craver, CynthiaPublisher:McGraw-Hill Publishing Co.Inquiry Into Life (16th Edition)BiologyISBN:9781260231700Author:Sylvia S. Mader, Michael WindelspechtPublisher:McGraw Hill Education