QUESTION IMAGE
Question
cell size
small cells function more effectively, because as cells become larger their surface area to volume ratio:
multiple choice
stays the same
decreases.
is squared.
is cubed.
increases.
The surface - area - to - volume ratio of a cell is crucial for its function. As a cell grows larger, its volume increases more rapidly than its surface area. Mathematically, if we consider a simple geometric shape like a cube, volume ($V = s^3$) grows faster than surface area ($SA=6s^2$) as the side - length $s$ increases. This leads to a decrease in the surface - area - to - volume ratio. Smaller cells have a higher surface - area - to - volume ratio, which allows for more efficient exchange of materials (such as nutrients and waste) across the cell membrane.
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B. decreases