Cell Size and Function
Grade 11th Grade · Science · 50 min
What's Included
Learning Objective
I can explain how cell size and surface area to volume ratio affect cell function.
Warm-Up Video
Khan Academy · 8:56
Cell size | Structure of a cell | Biology | Khan Academy
Guided Notes
3 key concepts
- 1
The width of pseud amonous bacteria is around one micrometer, while human egg cells have a diameter on the order of 100 micrometers.
- 2
The smallest bacterial cells discovered have a size of about a few hundred nanometers, and the limiting factor for cell size is the ratio of volume to surface area.
- 3
As a cell grows, the volume increases faster than the surface area, making it difficult for the cell to take in nutrients and get rid of waste.
Practice Questions
11 questions · Multiple choice & Short answer
Exit Ticket
Quick comprehension check
“Explain how the surface area to volume ratio limits cell size. Be sure to include how nutrient and waste exchange are affected.”
Complete Lesson Package
Get all 3 ready-to-use resources:
