Question

What is cell surface-area-to volume ratio, and why is it important?

Answer 1

idk srry

Answer 2

idk but see if this will help https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CCAQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.brooklyn.cuny.edu%2Fbc%2Fahp%2FLAD%2FC5%2FC5_ProbSize.html&ei=JEkZVfPBA8mdNqHuglg&usg=AFQjCNG08Rg4whrNj-m0EWFMy-0GWwK0ow&sig2=2TUZwwqOCPkNByrxABPF3g&bvm=bv.89381419,d.eXY

Answer 3

The ratio is simply the area of the surface of a cell divided by the volume (what is inside a membrane) of that cell. This is important because simple diffusion of nutrients is not efficient and just like a bridge that is too long with not enough support, the higher the volume of the cell, the more difficult it is to maintain the cell membrane.

The diffusion comes into play with multi-cell structures.

Answer 4

However, this issue with diffusion is why insects are so small (no closed blood system=all oxygen exchange via diffusion), and why things like mushrooms cannot get very large.