Hypothesis
Smaller cells having a lower surface area to volume ratio will cause diffusion rates to raise.
1. In terms of maximizing diffusion what was the most effective size cube that you tested?
The most successful cube that our group tested had a high SA to V ration of 1.5. This was our smallest cube which also had a 76 diffusion percentage.
2. Why was the size most effective at maximizing diffusion? What are the important factors that affect materials diffuse into cells or tissues?
Due to the size being smaller the NaOH had diffused into the agar cube effectively. The small cube diffused faster than the larger cubes did because of the volume- surface area ratio.
3. If a large surface area is helpful to cells, why do cells not grow to be very large?
When the surface area to volume ratio changes during cell growth, the volume of the cell grows faster than the surface area. Because of this the cell stays small due to the effectiveness of cells decreasing. A small SA:V ratio means the cell will be larger and harder for the cell to diffuse properly.
4. You have three cubes, A, B, and C. They have surface to volume rations of 3:1, 5:2, and 4:1 respectively. Which of these cubes is going to be the most effective at maximizing diffusion, how do you know this?
The 4:1 ratio cube would be the most effective at maximizing diffusion because it has a high surface area to enable reactions. It also has faster relations due to low volume in the cube.
5. How does your body adapt surface area-to-volume rations to help exchange gases?
Our bodies use cells that have a thin or elongate shape to adapt surface area to volume rations. The fold at the cell membrane helps gas exchange as well.
6. Why cant certain cells, like bacteria, get to be the size of small fish?
When a cell divides to have a high surface area to volume ratio it works efficiently. Having a cell the size of a fish, it would not be efficient and would not diffuse materials as well as a divided cell would.
7. What are advantages of large organisms being multicellular?
Having large organisms being multicellular will help raise diffusion rates in the body because they may have a high Surface area to volume ratio.