I need help with this please Generally prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells on
ID: 187935 • Letter: I
Question
I need help with this please
Generally prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells only differ in size by about a factor of 10. The upper limit to the size of a cell is largely determined by _________ options are; (metabolic requirements, availability of nutrients, temperature of the environment, or diffusion rate.)
Larger cells in comparison to smaller cells have a _______ (options are; GREATER, SMALLER, or EQUIVALENT) ratio of surface area volume.
The smaller the surface area of a cell, the ____________ (options are; MORE RAPID, or LESS RAPID) is the exchange of the molecules across the cell boundary.
Explanation / Answer
1) Generally prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells only differ in size by about a factor of 10. The upper limit to the size of a cell is largely determined by _metabolic requirements. A cell needs a large surface area in order to carry out metabolic functions (as chemical reactions require a surface). As a cell grows, it needs to carry out more and more reactions. Therefore, since a cell has to maintain a certain surface area to volume ratio, its size is limited.
2) Larger cells in comparison to smaller cells have a __SMALLER, ratio of surface area volume. The rate of exchange of materials (nutrients/waste) and energy (heat) is a function of its surface area. Hence, As a cell grows in size (volume), the distance increases between the cytoplasm at the center of the cell and the cell membrane. The rate of chemical exchange with the surrounding environment may hence become too low to maintain the cell. It is not able to excrete waste quickly enough or take in important minerals.
3) The smaller the surface area of a cell, the MORE RAPID is the exchange of the molecules across the cell boundary. The small size of prokaryotes allows ions and organic molecules that enter them to quickly spread to other parts of the cell. Similarly, any wastes produced within a prokaryotic cell can quickly move out.