Question

How does cell growth affect the cell's surface-to-volume ratio?

Answer 1

As the cell increases in size the volume of the cell increases more rapidly than the surface area which causes a decrease in the cell's ratio of surface area to volume and makes it more difficult for the cell to move needed materials in and waste products out. If a cell gets too large, it would be more difficult to get sufficient amounts of oxygen and nutrients in and waste products out, so the cell has to stop growing before this happens.