What does a cell need to do to increase its surface area?

Prokaryotic cells have internal folding of the cell membrane which are responsible for certain functions like respiration. These foldings increase the surface area.

1. How do cells increase their surface area?
2. Which typically increases faster as a cell grows surface area or volume?
3. How do cells adapt to increase diffusion?
4. Does a cell need a high or low surface area to volume ratio?
5. How can a cell increase surface area without increasing the volume?
6. What increases faster in a cell?
7. Why does volume grow faster than surface area?
8. How do cell organelles allow for compartmentalization in eukaryotic cells?
9. Why is compartmentalization important in cells lysosomes?
10. How does the mitochondria compartmentalize?
11. How does increasing the surface area affect the rate of diffusion?
12. What factors increase the effectiveness of an exchange surface?
13. What factors increase the rate of diffusion?

How do cells increase their surface area?

When a cell divides into two daughter cells, the total cell surface area should increase. There are two models for membrane supply to support cell division: (1) unfolding of small surface membrane reservoirs such as microvilli or wrinkles and (2) exocytosis of intracellular vesicles.

Which typically increases faster as a cell grows surface area or volume?

As a cell grows bigger, its internal volume enlarges and the cell membrane expands. Unfortunately, the volume increases more rapidly than does the surface area, and so the relative amount of surface area available to pass materials to a unit volume of the cell steadily decreases.

How do cells adapt to increase diffusion?

Substances can diffuse in and out at a high rate and easily reach all parts of the cell. ... Exchange surfaces are adapted to increase their surface area to maximise the rate of diffusion. Organisms living in harsh environmental conditions may reduce their surface area, eg cacti, to reduce loss of substances such as water.

Does a cell need a high or low surface area to volume ratio?

Smaller single-celled organisms have a high surface area to volume ratio, which allows them to rely on oxygen and material diffusing into the cell (and wastes diffusing out) in order to survive. The higher the surface area to volume ratio they have, the more effective this process can be.

How can a cell increase surface area without increasing the volume?

The folds in the lining of our stomachs or the tiny cellular, finger-like projections that protrude from the wall of the intestine (villi) all act to increase the surface area without increasing the overall size or volume of the organ.

What increases faster in a cell?

Cell size: Volume increases faster than surface area. Surface are must allow for adequate exchange of materials. Cell growth is coordinated with division.

Why does volume grow faster than surface area?

As a cell grows bigger, the internal volume increases and thereby expands the cell membrane. In turn, the volume increases more rapidly than does the surface area. ... A large surface to volume ratio means that a small amount of living matter has a large surface through which nutrients, oxygen and wastes can diffuse.

How do cell organelles allow for compartmentalization in eukaryotic cells?

In eukaryotic cells, compartmentalization is created by the use of a series of internal membranes. These membranes surround the nucleus, create the folds of the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complex, and surround organelles like chloroplasts and mitochondria.

Why is compartmentalization important in cells lysosomes?

Compartmentalization increases the efficiency of many subcellular processes by concentrating the required components to a confined space within the cell.

How does the mitochondria compartmentalize?

Mitochondria possess two membranes. While the outer membrane envelopes the organelle, the inner membrane is sub-divided into two compartments, the inner boundary membrane (IBM) and the cristae membranes (CM) (Palade, 1953).

How does increasing the surface area affect the rate of diffusion?

When a cell's surface area increases, the amount of substances diffusing into the cell increases. As volume and surface area increase, the volume increases faster, so much so that the surface area available to allow substances in halves each time the cell volume doubles.

What factors increase the effectiveness of an exchange surface?

The process of breathing, or ventilation , brings air to, and removes air from the exchange surface – the alveoli. The moving blood and ventilated surfaces mean that a steep concentration gradient can be maintained. This increases effective exchange.

What factors increase the rate of diffusion?

The greater the difference in concentration, the quicker the rate of diffusion. The higher the temperature, the more kinetic energy the particles will have, so they will move and mix more quickly. The greater the surface area, the faster the rate of diffusion.