Cell Growth 10-1

Limits to Cell Growth Two reasons why cells divide: DNA Overload Exchanging Materials

DNA Overload The larger a cell becomes, the more demands the cell places on its DNA The DNA cannot provide information for all of the cell if it is to large

Exchanging Materials The cell has trouble moving enough nutrients and wastes across the cell membrane The rate at which the exchange of nutrients and waste takes place depends on the service area of the cell membrane The rate at which food and oxygen are used up and waste is produced depends on the cells volume

Ratio of surface area to volume

Division of the Cell Before a cell becomes too large, a growing cell divides forming two “daughter” cells. The process where a cell divides into two new “daughter” cells is called cell division