Why Are Cells So Small?

Why are Cells so Small? Cells are so small that their diameter is measured in micrometers To carry out life processes, a cell must be able to pass substances into and out of the cell. Anything that enters or leaves a cell has to go through the cell membrane on the surface of the cell. A bigger cell needs more nutrients and creates more wastes. As the size of a cell increases, its volume increases more quickly than its surface area. If the volume of a cell becomes too great, it won’t have enough surface area to transfer all of its nutrients and wastes. http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/cells/scale/

Cells are typically small…

Why are cells small?

Calculating Surface Area and Volume

Lesson Review Questions Recall 1. Identify discoveries that led to the cell theory. 2. What are the four basic parts found in all cells? Apply Concepts 3. Apply the levels of organization of an organism to a human being. List the levels of organization in order from the atom to the organism, and give an example at each level. Think Critically 4. Compare and contrast prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. 5. Use examples to show how cell shape relates to cell function. 6. Explain what limits the size of cells.