Question

Surface area is an important factor in limiting cell growth because

Answer 1

Surface area is an important factor in limiting cell growth because

a. the cell can burst if the membrane becomes too large.

b. materials cannot enter the cell if the surface is too large.

c. the cell may become too large to take in enough food and to remove enough wastes.

d. waste products cannot leave the cell if the cell is too small.

Answer:

c. the cell may become too large to take in enough food and to remove enough wastes.

Explanation:

The exchange of substances with surroundings is done by cells by the process of diffusion. The rate of diffusion of substances requires the presence of a higher surface area than volume. As the cells become larger, their surface area is reduced with respect to the volume. Therefore, larger cells can not support the diffusion of substances in and out as required for its proper functioning. If cells are allowed to grow continuously, they will not be able to intake the requires materials such as food and to release the waste outside.