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VICBiologyQuick questions

Unit 1: How do organisms regulate their functions?

Quick questions on Cell size and the surface area to volume ratio: VCE Biology Unit 1

4short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.

What is strategies cells use?
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When a cell grows too large, it has three options:
What is q1?
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Calculate the surface area, volume and SA:V ratio of a spherical cell of radius r=5 μmr = 5\ \mu\text{m}. Use SA=4πr2SA = 4\pi r^2 and V=43πr3V = \frac{4}{3}\pi r^3. [3 marks]
What is q2?
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A cubic cell doubles in side length from 10 to 20 micrometres. Show that the volume increases faster than the surface area, and explain the consequence for diffusion of oxygen into the cell. [3 marks]
What is q3?
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Refer to an alveolus and a single E. coli cell. (a) State which has the higher SA:V ratio and justify with a one-line calculation.

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