Feeding efficiency calculation- surface area to volume ratio
Not what you're looking for?
Consider two imaginary cells. Both are cube shaped (the same dimension in all directions) The first cell has a side length of 10 micrometers. The second has a side length of 100 micrometers. Calculate the surface areas and volumes of both of these cells then calculate the sa/v for each of them. The SA, V and Sa/V dived out of each of theses cells. which one of these would be most efficeint at feeding itself? Why? If we added a third cell with a side length of 50 micrometers how would its feeding efficiency compare to our first two cells ( no calculations needed) Why ?
Finally if our least efficient cell needed to increase its feeding effiency to match the most efficient cell what is one way it might do it? Oh - that's without actually changing its volume. Be specific about how the cell must change.
Purchase this Solution
Solution Summary
The solution shows all mathematical steps to arrive at the final answer. This will enable you to solve similar problems yourself. More than 350 word explanation as a Word attachment.
Solution Preview
please see the attachment for the solution to this problem.
--------- Text below for searching only-------
Solution
The side length of the first cell = 10 micrometers.
Since the cell is of cubic shape, its surface area (SA) is given by 6a2 where a is the side length of the cube.
Therefore, the SA of the first cube = 6x(10x10-6 )2 (1 micrometer =10-6 meter )
=6x10-10 m2
Volume of the cell (V) = a3 = (10x10-6 )3 = 10-15 m3
for the first cell , Surface Area/Volume = SA/V =6x10-10 /10-15
= 6x105 per meter
Similarly, for the second cell whose side length = 100 micrometers,
Surface Area = 6x(100x10-6 )2 = 6x10-8 m2 ...
Purchase this Solution
Free BrainMass Quizzes
Biochemistry Basics
A refresher quiz to test your knowledge of basics concepts of biochemistry.
Labor Comfort Measures
Do you know how to comfort someone in labor?
Basic Immunology Quiz
Intro to immuno quiz. Covers the basics of immunology and recognition of foreign substances by the body.
Cellular Respiration
This quiz is a review for cellular respiration.
BioChemistry Basics
This Quiz will test your knowledge of the amino acids used in biological systems