Agar cubes in solution

Agar cubes after being cut

Data Table

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Questions:

In terms of maximizing diffusion what the most effective size cube that you tested? 

The most effective size cube that we tested for diffusion was the smallest cube (1cm cube).This was the most effective because the smaller then cube the more efficient it’s diffusion is.

Why was that size most effective at maximizing diffusion? what are the important factors that affect how materials diffuse into cells or tissue?

The smallest cube (1cm cube) was the most effective at diffusion because it has the smallest volume, making it easier for diffusion to happen throughout the entire cube. Concentration, temperature, type of material, size of cell, and polarity are all important factors that affect how materials diffuse into cells or tissue.

If a large surface area is useful to cells, why do cells not grow to be very large? 

Cells don’t grow to be larger in size because the larger the cell the less efficient they are with diffusion of materials. The process of diffusion will not occur through the inside of the whole wall. When the cell continues to grow there is less membrane for the substances to diffuse through resulting in the centre of the cell not receiving the substance that it needs.

You have three cubes A, B, & C. They have a surface to volume ratio of 3:1, 5:2, 4:1. Which of these cubes is going to be most effective at maximising diffusion? 

The cube that will be most effective at maximizing diffusion is cube C with a ratio of 4:1. Cube C has a higher surface area to volume ratio, therefor for every cubic unit of cytoplasm there is more cell membrane than the A or B cubes. This ensures that the inside of the cube will be the most effective at diffusion allowing more materials to be able to enter the cytoplasm.

How does your body adapt surface area to volume ratio to help exchange gases?

Our bodies have altered larger organs which are formed by small spheres which cover as much surface area as possible in order to efficiently exchange gases. our bodies make sure the surface area to volume ratio is good and is established in the area where gas exchange happens.

Why can’t certain cells like bacteria get to be the size of a small fish?

Cell bacteria can’t be the size of a fish because they need to divide in order to keep a good surface area to volume ratio. Certain cells need to stay small for proper action. If the size of a small fish, the surface area to volume ratio would be too small to ensure proper diffusion through the entire cell.

What are the advantages of large organisms being multicellular?

the advantages of large molecules being multicellular is that they have the ability to grow to a large size due to the number of their cells increasing in the organism over time. Unicellular organisms only have one cell with one function, multicellular organisms contain many cells that have their own specific function within.